Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Solskjaer's reaction to Watford defeat

Sunday 22 December 2019 16:51

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed his disappointment with the Reds’ 2-0 Premier League defeat to Watford.

Speaking to MUTV and Sky Sports after the final whistle, the Norwegian reflected upon a poor first-half showing from his side and also discussed the return of Paul Pogba.

Read the boss’s thoughts below…

WE WERE POOR FIRST HALF

"It's very disappointing. I'm disappointed with the first half, more than the second to be fair. It was slow, a testimonial pace, no urgency and coming into half-time, you expect a reaction. Of course they score that first goal, it's a freak thing. That happens in football at times and we couldn't recover from it."

WE WON'T DWELL ON LINGARD'S CHANCE

"Well, Ben stood up so I don't think a chip was the right option but then I wasn't on the pitch. That was Jesse's [decision]. It was a good run, we could have been one up at half-time but that happens. Sometimes you miss the target, sometimes you score."

Solskjaer's verdict on the defeat to Watford Video

Solskjaer's verdict on the defeat to Watford

The manager has delivered his opinion on the performance and result at Vicarage Road...

IT TOOK US A WHILE TO GET GOING

"There was no atmosphere, we couldn't get the tempo in our play, intensity in our play, quality in our play. We never really did that until they scored the two goals. We then really had to create chances and we did - but we didn't take them."

WE NEED A REACTION

"No, you don't [expect a mistake from David de Gea] but that happens to anyone, everyone in football, you make a mistake like this. It's about reaction now, both from David and from ourselves as a team. We've got two games coming up over Christmas and we need to bounce back."

POGBA WAS A POSITIVE

"Yes, it's a big plus. The boy has been working hard, he's been desperate to play football and he came on and showed that hunger, urgency and quality so I'm sure we'll benefit from him coming back."

WE LOOK AHEAD TO NEWCASTLE

"Yes, definitely, you want to get back to Old Trafford and win because that's not good enough. We know we have a tough spell, loads of games coming up, but that's what they [the players] want and I'm sure they'll... well, we have to see a reaction."

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