Disappointed Solskjaer leaves the podium in Gdansk with his losers medal

Solskjaer: We didn't turn up

Wednesday 26 May 2021 23:45

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his Manchester United squad must ensure the bitter taste in their mouths after the heartbreaking Europa League final agony must be washed away next season and admitted his side didn't turn up in the showpiece climax to the season.

The Reds lost an agonising 22-kick penalty shoot-out in Gdansk with David De Gea's miss handing the trophy to Villarreal.

The two sides couldn't be separated after 120 minutes in Poland with Edinson Cavani in the 55th-minute cancelling out the opener for the Spaniards by Gerard Moreno in the first half.

United looked tired in extra-time and couldn't find a piece of magic to end the campaign with silverware.

Speaking to BT Sport, post-match, Ole reflected on a hugely disappointing night for the Reds...

 

Ole's post-match interview Video

Ole's post-match interview

The boss talks to club media after our penalty shootout defeat...

SET PIECE GOAL A DISAPPOINTMENT AGAIN

“We didn’t turn up. We didn’t play as well we know we can do. We started alright, but they got the goal, the only shot they had on target they score. I was disappointed we conceded a goal again on a set-play. We pushed, we pressed but after we scored we couldn’t control the game and dominate as well as we wanted. That is football at times. They made it hard for us and closed the spaces. We had the majority of possession and they defended well. We didn’t create enough big chances.”

NO TIME FOR SNAP JUDGEMENTS

“Now is not the time to point the finger on what I would have done different, but when you come out with no trophy you have not done everything right.”

 

GETTING CLOSER

“We are getting closer and closer and better. We are one kick away today from having a trophy and having a good night. But we have got to have the desire to come back next year and improve and get better, and that will be about the margins. The only way to get the margins on your side is to work harder and better.”

WE HAVE TO GET BETTER

“We need to get better, as simple as. We have done really well this season coming through the start was really difficult. We had no pre-season whatsoever and lost three of the first six games, all of them at home. We pushed in the league, maybe got closer to the top than we thought and we got to a final, but you need to win these finals to make it a good season.”

Report: Villarreal 1 United 1 (11-10 on penalties)

 Article

The Reds suffer agony in Gdansk in a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR DAVID

“Well, of course, he's as disappointed as all of us. But that’s football. Sometimes you’re the hero, sometimes it doesn’t work for you. I’m sure he’ll survive this one."

THE DRESSING ROOM SPIRIT IS GOOD

“We are building a strong squad, a competitive squad. The spirit in the squad is really good. They are gutted in there. Now is not the time to analyse the whole season.”

Europa League final: Talking points

 Article

We've rounded up the main topics of discussion after the Reds were edged out by Villarreal.

LESSONS LEARNT

“You've got to be strong. You've got to learn from failure. You've got to learn from disappointment, because it’s a lesson. It’s a lesson that we’re not still where we want to be. We’re still not at the quality we want to be. We go away now. Some have the Euros, some have the holidays. The one thing that’s definite is that everyone has to come back with a desire to improve and I’m sure they will have this feeling for a couple of days and come back stronger.”

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