Ole: Our final-third decisions cost us

Saturday 25 September 2021 16:13

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt deficiencies in the final third were decisive as Manchester United slipped to a first Premier League defeat of this season on Saturday afternoon.

United dominated the ball in the early kick-off against Aston Villa and amassed 28 shots across the 90 minutes, but ultimately came away without a point, following Kortney Hause’s late header for the visitors, and Bruno Fernandes’ missed penalty in stoppage time. 

When speaking to club media and in his post-match press conference, Ole commented on the injuries sustained by Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw and called for a response from his team next time out, against Villarreal on Wednesday.

NOT CLINICAL ENOUGH

“I thought we were very good in the transitions, defensively we won the ball in good positions and we attacked quickly. But when we got up there, the final decision, the final execution, the quality in the pass or the shot or decision wasn’t good enough to get goals. The game ebbed and flowed and was probably a good game for the neutrals but unfortunately, we didn’t get a goal.”

Ole: We just couldn't get the first goal Video

Ole: We just couldn't get the first goal

Our manager delivers an honest assessment after a disappointing afternoon at Old Trafford...

ASTON VILLA'S GOAL

“Against us on the corner you see the inconsistencies again with VAR and decision making because [Ollie] Watkins is clearly standing on or is touching David [De Gea] as the header has gone so he is offside, or it is a foul. The linesman did well, he reported it or called it in to VAR, but they turned the decision down and it is a goal unfortunately so, bad decisions again.”

CREDIT TO THE VICTORS

“We should have, could have, slowed the game down at times. But when you have attackers who are very good on transitions with speed and skill, sometimes the decision then was rushed. We didn’t have enough control even though we had 60 per cent possession, 30 shots or whatever. But we know Aston Villa are a good team on transition as well with Watkins, [John] McGinn and [Jacob] Ramsey running forward with the wing-backs. But that wasn’t what hurt us though. It was the corner kick at the end and unfortunately Bruno [Fernandes] with one of his very, very rare misses.”
FERNANDES’S PENALTY

“I didn't like the way they crowded Bruno, the penalty spot, the referee, all that malarkey but Bruno's very strong mentally and unfortunately today it didn't go in."

MAGUIRE AND SHAW INJURIES

“Sorry, I can’t give you any updates. We will have to use today [Saturday] and tomorrow and Monday or when we get the scans done and see how we are.”

United 0 Aston Villa 1

 Article

Fernandes misses a late penalty as United slip to defeat against Villa.

VILLARREAL ON WEDNESDAY

"Every time you're defeated, you have to stand up for yourselves, stand up for your team, fight for your team and we will. The boys will. It's a big game, a Champions League night and we know we've started that group badly, but we'll be ready."

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