Ole's press conference
TranscriptJesse Lingard and Harry Maguire were among the topics of conversation in the boss's media briefing...
Q: Thoughts on match and performance, already decided? It was as expected really against a team that we knew were aggressive, going to press us. We found it a little be bid hard in the beginning to find our rhythm in our passing and we didn’t create chances, but we needed game time, some of these players [needed game time] and we needed to win the game. We wanted to win the game and it’s job done. Q: Sergio keeper for rest of Europa? Well he’s played well tonight definitely and I’m not going say Sergio is the Europa League keeper. It’s between him and David all the time, we’re going to pick a that we think is going to win this tournament. So just have to wait and see. Q: Lots of changes tonight, same number in quarters and beyond? No, we’ll make changes. Now we travel to Germany with a squad that’s had enough game time. These players needed to play tonight to get their rhythm and get their confidence up and get the feel of a game. It won’t be the same team, so we’ll make some changes. Q: Alexis leaving, confirmed? His time at the club Well we’ll announce tomorrow, so I can confirm that’s he’s agreed and we’ve agreed. Alexis enjoyed his time there, they’ve liked him so of course that’s a good move for him. Wish him all the best, he’s a top player that we want to see play his best football. For whatever reason we didn’t see the best of Alexis, but he’s a top professional and just wish him all the best. Q: Martial, 23rd goal of the season (same as in 17/18 and 18/19), what’s the biggest difference? Well Anthony has upped his work rate, he’s working harder in training, he’s working harder in the games – of course his physical stats show that. He’s been an absolute joy to work with, his attitude’s been spot on and him and Marcus have found and hit off a really good relationship and of course with Mason and Bruno coming in, that’s improved us creating chances. The team’s creating more chances and tonight created the link play with Juan. Q: Great recruitment so far, how difficult is Sancho deal? Well we’re looking into all transfers differently and I’m going not going to speak about individuals and that’s not our not our players. So, no news, no updates, we’ll update you if something happens. Q: Jesse taken off, was disappointed but said he sticks by the decision. Does he have a future at the club? Every player that when you get your chance, in a game or even in training, you’ve got a chance to prove yourself, prove your worth. I know Jesse, I’ve known Jesse since he’s been a little kid and I know there’s a very good player and great personality to have around. He knows what we want from and he knows that he has to stand by the manager whatever decision he makes. I would be disappointed if he was happy coming off, because he was growing in confidence. He’s worked really hard on his finishing, especially lately and I’m happy for him to score. Q: Approach to the competition? Yeah, it’ll be a mini tournament. There’s all the rules and regulations on the bubble that’s going to travel. We’ve got to stick together, stay together in and around the hotel, the training ground. Let’s see how long it lasts – hopefully more than two days, hopefully up to 12 days. We’re going to approach it by one game at a time, everyone’s going to travel on Sunday morning or Saturday night and we’ll stay together as long as we’re in the tournament. Q: Maguire not rested tonight, burnout risk? First of all he’s desperate to play, he’s the captain. There’s a reason why he’s the captain, he always wants to play but he’s always ready to play. He’s missed one game, two games this season maybe through some illness and I think he just gets sharper and sharper the more he plays. He’ll get his time off after this tournament, so no worries about that.