Ole Gunnar Solskjaer applauds the United fans.

Solskjaer's verdict on Liverpool defeat

Sunday 19 January 2020 20:20

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was pleased with the performance and commitment of his Manchester United side, despite the Reds losing 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield.

Virgil Van Dijk headed the hosts in front after 14 minutes, before Mo Salah wrapped up the points for the league leaders from a stoppage-time counterattack, following a period of sustained pressure from the Reds to try and find a leveller.

Speaking to MUTV and Sky Sports after the game, the boss gave his verdict on the performance, plus the fitness of Marcus Rashford and any potential transfers.

THE SECOND HALF REACTION

"I think the reaction was really good. Of course in the first 10 minutes of the second half they pushed us back, sometimes that happens against good teams, but we had a keeper that played fantastic. We had defenders that did their job and we got back into the game.

"We created chances, big chances, we created pressure, we created transitions. Then the final ball or the final finish or the final cross wasn’t good enough. The last half an hour was really good."

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AN UPDATE ON MARCUS

"It's a stress fracture that happened against Wolverhampton and it's not something that's happened before. It was so unlucky for Marcus, he'll be out for a while.

"He won't be back until after the mid-season break. I don't know long it is, I'm not a doctor but normally a stress fracture is six weeks to heal and then he needs some recovery or some rehab after that probably."

INJURIES AND POTENTIAL INCOMINGS

"We've had many, many injuries to big players this season. Marcus now, Anthony's been out for months, Paul's been out for more than half the season and Scott's been out for months. It's just an unfortunate situation that we're in. It might be, because the window is open, we might look at some short-term deals as well that could take us through to the summer.

"We're looking at numbers as well because we have had many injuries so if the right one's there and it will fit for us, we can buy. If there are loans available, it might be possible. But I've got players here as well that are champing at the bit."

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THE PERFORMANCE OF FRED

"He's a top, top performer. All the supporters can see now why we believe in him. He covers every blade of grass on the pitch and wins challenges. Of course he is more confident on the ball. I’m very pleased with Fred."

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LIVERPOOL LOOKED NERVY

"Of course, you’re never happy when you lose a game. The first goal was disappointing to concede, the goal from a set-piece. We didn’t deal with that well enough. In the last half hour I thought we were excellent.

"We pegged them back, pressed them, had the majority of the possession in the second half, pushed them back and created chances, big chances. And we created the pressure, I thought they looked nervy and then of course we send everyone up to get the equaliser and they get that goal."

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