Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Ole: These nights are massive

Wednesday 20 January 2021 23:06

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted to come away from Craven Cottage with all three points on Wednesday, but felt we weren’t at our best during the win over Fulham.

The Reds fell behind to an early Ademola Lookman strike, before Edinson Cavani pulled us level and Paul Pogba’s wonder strike in the second half ensured we moved back to the top of the Premier League table.

Speaking after the game to MUTV and BT Sport, the boss praised the endeavour and performances from his two goalscorers and gave his thoughts on the team’s showing in the capital…
Ole: We're mentally robust Video

Ole: We're mentally robust

The boss says he's proud of his players after another come-from-behind win, and says these points could be vital...

A MIXED PERFORMANCE
“I think we started slow and after their goal I felt we did well. That was what we needed; we needed to wake up. I don’t think we had shaken off the game on Sunday, but after that we did really well, we scored. Poor again [after that], trying to be too direct and to go in behind and the Hollywood passes, then a fantastic goal by Paul and we had some great chances in the second half to finish the game. When it’s only one goal, with the players they’ve put on, it’s always going to be like heart in your mouth.”

THREE TERRIFIC POINTS

“Oh, they're massive, they are. You know, when you count the points at the end of the season, you look back and say that was a tight game and this was a tight game. It gives so much confidence and a morale boost as well to get three points instead of a draw. Easily towards the end it could have been [a draw], because they've created chances, David [De Gea]’s made a fantastic save with his feet but we should have finished the game off before then.”
POGBA’S PARADISE
“He’s really come on. He’s fit, he can play in midfield, he can play wide – that’s the key with Paul, getting him match fit and really running fit, and he is at the moment. An early yellow and he still defended really well; he still stood his ground and there was one tackle in the second half I was worried about, [he] could have got the lad. But he played very well.”

LOOKMAN’S OPENER
“We don’t do offsides really; we should follow the run. That’s down to when they run from deep – we knew they were going to do that. We hadn’t woken up, but a good reaction.”

RESPONDING TO THE SETBACK
“I think the boys just knew that we had to up the tempo. The passing was crisper, better, we spread the ball more and used the sides better, and deserved the couple of goals we scored.”
EXCELLENT FROM EDINSON
“That's a centre-forward's goal and you've got to be there to score. That's what he does. If you just watch him, if you have a player cam on him, his movement is incredible, fantastic. We've just got to get used to using him more. In the second half when he gets his header, what a save by [Alphonse] Areola. So it's good to have different options up front.”

TOP OF THE PILE AGAIN
“It’s always going to be talked about when we’re halfway through and you’re top of the league, but we’re not really thinking about this. We’ve just got to go one game at a time and keep everyone healthy and fresh and see where we are. We are getting better, the players are getting better, they're stronger, more robust – physically, mentally. We've seen so many times this season coming back from 1-0 down, so I'm pleased with the progress and very proud of how they're conducting themselves. At the training ground, the preparations for the games, the staff... fantastic.”

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