Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made an admission… he can’t remember playing in Manchester United’s FA Cup victory against Chelsea en route to winning the trophy in 1999!
Our caretaker manager was introduced as a second-half substitute in the quarter-final replay 20 years ago, a night on which two goals from Dwight Yorke ensured the Reds progressed to the last four of the tournament.
With the games coming thick and fast in the last months of the 1998/99 season, it’s maybe no surprise the Norwegian’s memory is a little foggy two decades on, especially with his mind so firmly fixed on Monday’s proceedings at Stamford Bridge and chasing more glory in the capital this time around.
With the games coming thick and fast in the last months of the 1998/99 season, it’s maybe no surprise the Norwegian’s memory is a little foggy two decades on, especially with his mind so firmly fixed on Monday’s proceedings at Stamford Bridge and chasing more glory in the capital this time around.
Just like in 1999, United have faced a tough cup draw this campaign and, after winning at Arsenal in the previous round, the Reds face another trip to London to play Chelsea for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Ole, a winner of two FA Cups, thinks our current squad can draw inspiration from the Treble-winning season when the team embarked on a relentless run of results.
Ole, a winner of two FA Cups, thinks our current squad can draw inspiration from the Treble-winning season when the team embarked on a relentless run of results.
“I came on? Did I? I can't remember that!”the boss admitted with a chuckle when speaking to MUTV.
“There are some games that you just forget about. But we got through and, to get to the final, you have got to beat the best teams.
“In 1999, we beat Liverpool, we beat Arsenal, we beat Chelsea, so this run is tough as well, with Arsenal away in the last round and Chelsea now, so it might be one of those years when we have to do it the hard way.he added.
“The FA Cup should always be exciting. We are looking forward to it. Two of the favourites are meeting already in this round and it is going to be a proper cup game,”
The Blues suffered a 6-0 defeat to Manchester City in their last domestic game, but responded positively in the following match ,with a 2-1 victory away to Malmo in the Europa League on Thursday.
Ole was present at the Etihad Stadium eight days ago to watch Chelsea and, while he could not manage to jet off to Sweden last week, he did watch the London club’s narrow win on TV.
“Yeah, I watched the game,”he said. “I know [Malmo coach] Uwe Rosler, of course. I have met him quite a few times. He has been the manager of Molde as well, so I wanted him to have a good experience.
“But a 2-1 defeat is not too bad for Malmo. Chelsea controlled the game, I thought. They have been playing really well at times, and they've struggled a couple of times, but it is going to be a tough game. We know that. Chelsea are a team with lots of good footballers.”
A win for the Reds on Monday would see us qualify for the quarter-final stage for the fifth year in a row, and we would join Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Millwall, Swansea City, Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the draw for the last eight.
The above is an extract from the full interview which you can read and watch by downloading our Official App for free....