Ole reveals secret behind Bruno's winner

Sunday 24 January 2021 21:02

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was unsurprisingly pleased after beating Liverpool in the Emirates FA Cup.

In what was a real FA Cup thriller, the Reds ended the match deserved 3-2 winners.

Under the floodlights at the Theatre of Dreams, Mason Greenwood equalised for United after Mohamed Salah’s opener before Marcus Rashford sent the Reds ahead shortly after half-time.

The visitors’ Egyptian winger pulled the sides back level midway through the second half but then, as has happened many times before, Bruno Fernandes produced a moment of magic to win the tie with a sublime free-kick.

Ole's victory verdict Video

Ole's victory verdict

The boss gives his reaction to our FA Cup cracker against Liverpool, as United progress to the fifth round...

Our manager was proud of his team following the excellent win and emphasised that when speaking to club media and BBC Sport post-match.

“We really played some good stuff in periods, they were some good goals we scored,”said Ole.

“We had to defend well against them of course, and I think we managed to react well. Towards the end, there’s always some moments there but we kept them away.

“I hope everyone enjoyed it. As a coach, you’re so focused on all the little details. Obviously, I could see lots of positives, even though we conceded two goals."

Like Ole himself did in 1999, Bruno came off the bench to win an FA Cup tie against Liverpool. And the United boss was impressed but not surprised by the winning strike.

“Great goal, good free-kick,” beamed our manager. “The thing is when you leave him out, like I had to do this time… I think he stayed about 45 minutes after training yesterday shooting free-kicks, so I was quite confident he was going to hit the target.

"If he's starting the day after the final training session I always send him in, he’s never allowed to practice too much. Yesterday he stayed out and it worked.”

Before our Portuguese magnifico won the game, it was Academy products Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford who combined for two other moments of magic during the 90 minutes. And Ole revealed that the duo followed the game-plan brilliantly.

“Marcus has played a little bit up front, down the right, down the left and we felt if we can switch the ball early, to either side, we can attack them,” Ole explained.

“Liverpool defend on the front foot so we need to be quick on the ball and I thought we did that well.”

Who will United play next in the FA Cup?

 Article

Here's a reminder of who the Reds will face in the fifth round, after eliminating rivals Liverpool.

The manager also revealed that the players sitting on the bench played a big part in our first-half equaliser.

"I think you can ask Marcus about the boys on the bench, that they did a good job for him. If there was a crowd here, I don’t think he would have seen it himself. A fantastic contribution by the bench, shouting 'switch, switch, switch'.

"He composed himself really well, Mason. It looked like it was going to bounce off for him. He had to wait for it with his right foot. It was a good finish, and I think there is more to Mason than what people think, that he’s only got a left-foot.

“It was the same with Marcus. Well done to him for composing yourself and slotting it in."

Rashford injury update after Cup win

 Article

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided some more news after our no.10 was forced off in the win over Liverpool.

Now attentions turn to a midweek Premier League fixture against Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United as the Reds look to maintain top spot.

“Another game on Wednesday night, so no time to rest, no time to celebrate. When we leave the stadium it’s about recovering and getting your head on the next one," insisted the boss.

United kick off against the Blades at 20:15 GMT on Wednesday evening.

Recommended: