Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer reacts to AC Milan shoot-out victory

Saturday 03 August 2019 21:16

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his Manchester United side have proved their capabilites, as the Reds wrapped up pre-season with a penalty shoot-out victory over AC Milan at the Principality Stadium.

Marcus Rashford scoring the opener in the 14th minute, before AC Milan equalised 12 minutes later, as Suso produced a driving effort that flew past David De Gea into the net. Samu Castillejo's header was deflected in by Victor Lindelof to give the Rossoneri the lead, however United hit back, as Jesse Lingard confidently finished past Pepe Reina to send the match to penalties.

Daniel Maldini had his spot-kick saved by De Gea, before Wales international Daniel James stepped up to ensure we ended things on a high.

Speaking to MUTV and in his post-match press conference, Solskjaer reflected on the match, was asked about Leicester City's Harry Maguire, discussed Paul Pogba's absence, and looked ahead to next week's Premier League opener against Chelsea at Old Trafford.

WE'VE SHOWN OUR INTENTIONS

"You’re never happy when you lose a player through injury, as we did with Eric [Bailly]. We aimed to have everyone fit on the starting line for when the season gets started so that’s a big blow. It has been a very good five weeks and now we’ve got another week to prepare. We’ve shown our intentions and hopefully we can carry that on in the league when it starts, when the points get handed out. It’s a good start with the momentum and we have to carry that on as these five weeks have given the boys confidence."

Solskjaer: Milan game was a good work-out Video

Solskjaer: Milan game was a good work-out

The boss gives his verdict on the Reds' final pre-season outing in our exclusive interview...

OLE HOPEFUL ON MAGUIRE DEAL

"Hopefully, the last little details will be in place and we can announce something very soon. Let’s get the details over the line but he’s played a few games over the summer so we’ll just have to assess him, if and when [in terms of potentially being available for the Chelsea match]."

WHY POGBA WAS NOT RISKED

"Paul will probably be back early next week in training. It’s not an injury, just some pain. He’s not injured but I wasn’t going to risk anything this weekend. He should be okay [for Chelsea]. I would hope so, anyway. I wasn’t expecting Paul [at the airport]. I spoke to him after training and he didn’t feel right."

POSITIVES TO DRAW ON

"Today was a good work-out but it was up and down and we were inconsistent. We started off okay but, after we conceded a goal, we had a spell there where we were all over the place then we came back and played good in the second half. I thought that was very positive.

"The game became that way at the end as they changed a few and we changed a few. The changes did us good and I thought we finished the game strongly. It was a good work-out."

Solskjaer's post-match press conference Video

Solskjaer's post-match press conference

Ole talks about the shoot-out win over Milan, Harry Maguire, the captaincy and more in his media briefing...

A PERFECT PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

"Perfect [penalties]! It’s nice to see young kids going up and just burying the ball in the net. Dan [James], Angel [Gomes] and Mason [Greenwood], three young ‘uns there, placed them really well so I’m really pleased we are ready for a penalty shoot-out some time.

"I think, even though it’s not points at stake, it’s still 65,000 fans in his home in Wales and I think he [James] felt a little bit nervous but he took it well."

Highlights: United beat AC Milan on penalties Video

Highlights: United beat AC Milan on penalties

Miss our game against AC Milan? Watch all four goals and the penalty shoot-out as we came out on top in Cardiff...

MASON'S STRENGTH OF CHARACTER

"I think it shows strength of character. He’s not fazed by anything really on a football pitch. He shouldn’t be. It’s what he’s been doing his whole life. I don’t think he’s got a weak foot, no, he’s got two strong ones – like his coach had back in the day! He probably decided as he was walking up if it was his right foot or left foot he was going to strike it with."

James: It was great to score in Cardiff Video

James: It was great to score in Cardiff

Daniel James discusses his winning penalty in his home country, settling in pre-season and gearing up for Chelsea...

NEXT STOP: PREMIER LEAGUE

"I think we’ve done well, working. It’s work in progress. It’s not like today gave you a final answer that we are ready. We still have to work throughout the season to improve as every game goes on. We’re ready for the next game. We’re all fit and raring to go and it’ll be a fantastic day at Old Trafford [against Chelsea].

"I’ve got an idea [of team selection], of course, as it’s been five good weeks and some players have done really well to get into the team. Maybe I wouldn’t have thought of them at the beginning because they will need some time but eight days is a long time in football."

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