United 0 Burnley 2: Solskjaer’s press conference
TranscriptOle answered questions from the media at Old Trafford after Wednesday's defeat to Burnley...
“Reasons were we didn’t play well enough. They scored with their chances and we didn’t take them. It was disappointing. Lately we have played better in these types of games when we have dominated. Today we didn’t get the first goal and that seemed like it took a lot of the belief out of us. You have got to say Burnley do make it hard to play against them then. We are stretched. The players are disappointed in there but they have given absolutely everything again. The effort is there.” Is it on the senior players to get the belief going? “I’m in charge of them it is down to me to get these boys going. You have pointed out few leaders on the pitch. On the flip side we have young players experiencing the expectations. It is a difficult period. A hard period for them. Some have had only 10 or 12 games. Brandon and Aaron have been fantastic. We expect a lot from them. They have the potential but sometimes you understand these performances. We do have leaders but there is no point pointing at others. As a group we didn’t perform well enough and they deserved to win.” Disillusioned fans with no progress? “Today there wasn’t. In the end you do feel disillusioned and maybe they do but for us we have to stick to our values and beliefs and knowing there is no use feeling sorry for yourself. We have to go out there with the same commitment tomorrow, the day after and get ready for Sunday. “We know we have had x amount of games since the beginning of December and we know they are very stretched and some lf these have played more than they should have and expected. More mentally and physically they need the mid-season break. We need to get over the line in these next three games and look forward to Sunday and there is a chance then to get some belief back.” “I wouldn’t say today was a fair reflection of this group of the season they have been through. They have done fantastic at some times. I cannot do anything but hold hands up and say not good enough for Man United. But that is where we are at present. It is not like we have gotten players on the bench there we could have rotated. They have played and they have done fantastic. Make sure ready for Sunday.” “I’m responsible for what is happening on the pitch. Of course we are looking to strengthen. We know we have to strengthen. Took that decision we let them go because we needed to start afresh with a certain type of player in the squad. Yes we know we have to get numbers and quality in.” Set pieces? “Disappointing and needs fixing. Has to be done. Football nowadays is 30-40 percent set pieces. Not that uncommon that you concede. It is disappointing especially against Burnley because we know that is one of their strengths. You know it is going to go back stick, you know it is going to be headed back in. We didn’t defend that well enough. The first challenge should have been dealt with, the second challenge should have been dealt with as well. Second goal is a wonder strike you have to say that. “I can understand supporters are disappointed when times are tough. We just have to make sure we try to help the players, help the team, help the club. The players they hear the fans when they support them and at times that has helped them so keep sticking at that. “We have improved in these types of games in terms of games when we have majority of possession and majority of shots. But we will miss Marcus and we will for two months probably. “First time since August we lost here on the Premier League and the players now need to remember that and make sure it is going to be a long time before we lose these types of games again. You can lose to teams who outplay but this was a team we should have won. “The thing with football it is always s players who can surprise you in a good way and in a bad way. Up to players to understand we are representing the bests club in the world. It is a duty every single day privilege It is an ongoing thing. “We are working to improve and get players in. Hopefully we can get something over the line. You can see these players are being stretched and I have absolutely no complaints about any of them. They give everything they have got.”