Solskjaer: We need to smile

As the Reds saw off Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park to keep pace with fellow midweek-winners Chelsea and Leicester City in the race for the top four, the boss asked his players to think about how far they've come in recent months, and to enjoy their football when they step out on to the pitch. 

Ole also praised Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, had kind words for Timothy Fosu-Mensah on his Reds' return, and gave his view on the two VAR incidents which went United's way, in his post-match interviews with MUTV and BT Sport...

LET’S MAKE THE MOST OF THE OPPORTUNITY!

“Yeah we need to smile, we need to go into this as in ‘we’ve earned this right’. No one thought this in January, that we were in with a shout for the top four and we’ve done fantastic since the restart and so we’ve got to smile, got to enjoy these games. These are the games that matter and that’s what it is at Man United, you need to step up and show your personality.”

THEY PUSHED US ALL THE WAY

“Yeah, you don’t expect anything else from a team that’s so well-coached and organised with individual quality and also they can play freely. The game for them is a chance for them to play against Man United, prove themselves and they made it hard for us. But in moments, in periods, we played some fantastic football as well. We defended bravely, we had to. David [De Gea], I think, has proven again why he’s in between the posts.”

RASHFORD AND MARTIAL SHONE

“The goals with Marcus and Anthony were just a joy to watch. The goals were great and we know they can do that at any moment. It’s exciting to watch, it’s exciting to coach, it’s exciting to see them want to be better, want to improve - so it’s great. We’ve created chances, scored more goals. We last the game, so you can see towards the end we’re fitter and stronger. The last 20, 25 minutes were the best ones for us – before then it took some time to get going, but I’m very happy.”

THE VAR CALLS WERE CORRECT

“For once we can say they worked and of course, if you’re offside an inch, you’re offside. We’re lucky there. For me, Victor takes the ball [for the penalty call, on Wilfried Zaha] so we’re fine.

“I’ve just seen it behind you [on the TV monitor], it looks like Victor kicks the ball there. Ball first. It’s a tight decision, probably the same with Anthony towards the other end so I don’t know, I’ve not seen that one, but I don’t think that’s a penalty, no.”

THE END JUSTIFIED THE MEANS

“It’s a must-win but then again we’ve still got our own performance to think about. The performance will always bring a result and today the result was probably better than the performance. At times, we hung on, we had to defend well, we had to run a lot - but we did it. I have to say it was great to see Timothy last more than 100 minutes out there. He’s not played for 16 months and I’m very pleased for him.”

WE GO AGAIN IN LESS THAN 72 HOURS

“We’ll be alright [for Chelsea on Sunday]. It is what it is and these boys can recover. An occasion, the semi-final at Wembley, will give anyone energy.”

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