Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Ole: The Reds' train keeps on rolling

Saturday 19 January 2019 17:52

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer picked up a record-breaking seventh win out of seven as Manchester United's caretaker manager, as the Reds defeated Brighton 2-1 at Old Trafford, to "keep the train rolling" in the Norwegian's words.

Solskjaer also heaped praise on Marcus Rashford ,whose sublime goal ultimately proved the difference in a 2-1 win after Paul Pogba's penalty set us on our way before commenting on overtaking Sir Matt's initial winning record. 

Scroll down to read what Solskjaer had to say to MUTV as well as to reporters in his press conference.

WE PLAYED SOME GREAT STUFF

"Oh yes, we were [glad to hear the whistle] but it seemed really, really, I wouldn’t say comfortable, but we played some great stuff. At the beginning of the second half, we created some chances and we should have put the game behind us but, in any game, you get problems and challenged and Brighton more than other teams because they are so resilient and stubborn. They are hard to break down and have good defenders, good midfielders and, of course, when they put the ball in the box, you have to defend. But we played some fantastic football at times."

RASHFORD HAS GROWN IN CONFIDENCE

"[His goal] wasn’t bad was it? [That was his] 150th game which is a feat in itself being 21 as he is. The level of his performances at the moment, the maturity in his finishing, his work-rate, it is just a dream to have players like him in a team. He is [confident], you have got to be, the way he plays. Of course, he has played a lot of football this last six or seven weeks. He has played all the games in the last few weeks. He has just grown in confidence, the maturity the way he plays, but his work-rate never stops and that is the most pleasing."

Another win for Ole and his coaching staff at Old Trafford.

WE SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE GAME OUT BETTER

"Of course, the attitude is brilliant. Then again, I would have liked to have played the game out better, kept it better and made them run after the ball more. I thought we gave it away too easily, were nonchalant at times, because we got sloppy. Maybe, at times, it looked too easy and 3-0 is fine but, at 2-0, anything can happen. Defensively, we need to find our shape better. Towards the end, like today, we need to defend better. We were under the cosh but winning 2-1 and we needed to keep it away from them, but at times, though, it was fantastic football from us and we should have scored two or three at the beginning of the second half."

THE REDS' TRAIN KEEPS ON ROLLING

"If we keep this momentum going, the train keeps rolling and we get loads of points on board, hopefully that will take us up the table. The gaffer [Sir Alex Ferguson] used to challenge us at times. Why can’t you go and win 10 games on the bounce? As long as you take each game at a time, prepare well going into it, then every game is a winnable one. But, then again, we need to improve on quite a few things. I have to say the players have to be proud of the form and momentum. It’s seven games on the bounce now and wins create confidence."

RECORDS DON'T BOTHER ME

"Yes of course [beating Sir Matt’s record] is something to be proud of, but it is something for the boys to be proud of, because that keeps the momentum going and it's another win. Maybe, in 10, 15 or 20 years’ time, I’ll look back on things like this but I don’t care whatsoever about records. I never ever bothered about these things. Of course, to be part of a team winning so much feels great and confidence grows in that dressing room. It is that team spirit that kept them away from losing points today, even though David [De Gea] didn’t have any saves to make, but, towards the end, there were still some scary moments."

ARSENAL IS A GREAT CHALLENGE

"Of course, we’ve had some tough years at the club and we’re fifth at the moment. I don’t know how Arsenal are doing at the moment [against Chelsea in the later kick-off] though, so we could be sixth! It is a challenge for us to get to where we should be as a club, but now we are looking forward to the [Emirates] FA Cup game against Arsenal because that is a tough opponent but it is a great challenge. I’ll sit down and try to watch the second half, when I’m done with this!"

WILL ALEXIS PLAY AGAINST ARSENAL?

"Alexis is not 100 percent match fit. He’s been out quite a while but he’ll probably be in the team for the FA Cup next week."

Ole heaped praise on Rashford, who was again impressive.
 
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