Ole reacts to Brighton 0 United 3 in Carabao Cup

The boss made 10 changes to his starting XI at the Amex Stadium following last Saturday’s dramatic Premier League victory and he was rewarded with a professional performance, featuring admirable goals from Scott McTominay, Juan Mata and Pogba Pogba (although his might become an own goal). 

United are now through to the quarter-finals of the competition and, speaking afterwards, Solskjaer was quick to praise his players and agreed the display has given him much to think about, particularly with a vital league match against Tottenham Hotspur to come at Old Trafford on Sunday. 

Check out our interview with Ole…

That was a tough assignment and a job well done tonight…
“It is never easy coming away against a Premier League team and they put a strong team out as well, and gave us a good game. I think the first 20 to 25 minutes was two teams needing a bit of confidence to get into the game. The rhythm wasn't really there and it probably looked like a 0-0 draw and a penalty shootout. But then we had some good play. The first opening, Juan made a great run to create the chance for Odion and that could have been a goal. The 1-0 goal as well, it was marvellous work from Juan and a great delivery.”

Just like at Luton in the last round, at 1-0 Dean Henderson made a great save…
“Yeah, I am quite lucky aren't I to have the keepers I have got. David had a similar type of save to Dean here in the league against Brighton, so it is a nice challenge to have. Deano has done really well since he has come in. He has deserved his place in the squad and he will fight for the place, definitely.”

A real bit of class about the second goal, with Donny’s touch into Juan’s path for his 50th goal…
“Juan dropped back, started the move and he showed some real quality and composure tonight. Of course, the little flick on and the little touch... you see Donny all of the time with these little, clever touches, which might not be to visible for everyone if you are not really focusing on it, but he has got a football brain there that will be really useful for us.”

Are you pleased with the little understanding between van de Beek and Mata?
“Good footballers understand each other. They are on the same wavelength. It was a good finish from Juan. It looked like he wanted to have a touch too many, but it was a very good goal.”

Paul Pogba got on the scoresheet as well, which is great for him…
“Paul has been working hard and he has been pestering me to take some of the free-kicks, but of course we've had a few others in Bruno and Marcus. Paul has been training hard lately on his free-kicks and yesterday I think he fine-tuned his touch.”

Does it give you some nice selection problems? Eric played well at the back and Donny played well in midfield…
“Yeah, of course. You want to go through in the cups, of course, but the players get a chance to get match minutes and impress. If you play well and perform... I thought the two in midfield, Scotty and Fred, were a shield in front of the back four as well and they were fantastic. I have got a couple of challenges, or headaches, or good decisions to make.”

Into the quarter-finals now and the draw is on Thursday, as well as the Champions League draw…
“I am looking forward to tomorrow now in front of the tele. Let's see how it pans out for the rest of the season.”

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