Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaks at a press conference

Ole reacts to Lindelof and Fernandes exchange

Monday 17 August 2020 09:50

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no problem with the frustration his Manchester United players showed after conceding a second goal to Sevilla in Sunday’s UEFA Europa League semi-final.

The Reds took the lead at Stadion Koln courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes penalty on nine minutes, before the Spanish club restored parity through Suso after 26 minutes.

United then dominated the second half and created lots of chances - 20 shots for the match in total - but the experienced opponents held on and managed to score a decisive goal on 78 minutes via Luuk de Jong.  

Shortly after that strike, television footage captured Victor Lindelof and Fernandes in a passionate exchange of views as the Reds regrouped for the semi-final's conclusion. 
Highlights: Sevilla 2 United 1 Video

Highlights: Sevilla 2 United 1

Watch the goals as the Reds bow out of the Europa League in Cologne...

During the post-match press conference in Germany, Solskjaer was asked for his thoughts on that moment and the manager quickly explained he wants his young squad to have such fire. 

“It was a disappointing goal to give away because we were on the counter-attack,” said Ole. “Antho gets brought down and how he [the Sevilla player] has not been booked, I don’t know. But the ball keeps on playing, we work to keep it in and then we lose the ball. 

“Maybe it’s a disappointing goal to concede, and I want those players to be accountable and to put others to account. Then again, the cross got deflected so Brandon was a bit unlucky, Victor just got caught with the ball looping over him after that deflection. 

“So I think it was just a bit of frustration that took the boys.”

Fernandes echoed his manager’s message in his own interview with BT Sport and explained such moments are natural, when a young and hungry squad is so determined to achieve success.

“I think it is normal, you know, when you take a goal and we have 10 minutes left to score again,” Bruno pointed out.

“Everyone was mad. It is not about me and Victor, it is about every team. What happened between me and Victor is nothing, it is normal and in football it happens. 

“It is looking out for each other and there will be more times when these things happen in football, in other teams and in everything.

“The most important thing now is to see the mistakes everyone did and to look forward to improving in the next games.”

Get ready for next season. Our 2020/21 home and away kits are available now from United Direct.

Essential reaction and analysis from Germany: