Ole's post-match press conference
TranscriptSee what the boss said in the media briefing, after his side beat Liverpool...
Pleased with performance? “It’s a fantastic to win games over last year’s champs, a fantastic team. Had a few results in last couple of years playing different systems.. This time we played on our terms as well, found a way the players believe in and we are getting stronger and stronger, mentality to come back after being 1-0 down, and physically we are stronger and stronger too. We last the games more." Do you sense you are going from strength to strength? “Of course we look at difference to a year ago or six months back, but you can’t take too many big strides at once, getting better and winning layer by layer winning tight games, so the morale and confidence is very good.” Greenwood's role “Marcus and Mason's position today was a little bit wider than normal, we know that if you are too condensed and let them defend narrow they will win the ball off you and counter attack off you very quickly Two very good goals. Mason first composed himself well, let the ball bounce and finished it, same for Marcus, he had to wait for it but slotted it really nicely. Very pleased for them two of them.” Any more you can say about Bruno? “He’s got that quality in and around the box, he’s proven to give assists and scoring goals, today a very good free-kick, he managed to practice a lot yesterday. Whenever he starts I tell him to go straight in so he can’t do extra free kicks. But I told him yesterday he wasn’t starting so he stayed out for about an hour or 45 minutes and it worked.” Moving Pogba to the right “I thought Paul (Pogba) played really well in centre, got on the ball and did really well at Anfield, covering. For a little spell they overpowered us with Robertson getting forward and the thoughts were to get Fred’s energy, Bruno’s energy and Paul’s physical presence and the power to stay with Robinson, he did it perfectly.” Mason learning from Cavani? “Both Anthony, Marcus, Mason, Dan (James), all our forwards they have to use the time he is with us to the best effect, have to learn off movement, you have to learn off his attitude, his desire to win, he’s one of the most hard working centre forwards but also one of the cleverest, movements in the box is very good, header towards the end, loads they can learn off him. When you bring in older and more experienced players, it’s to help the rest of them, he knows he has a job or responsibility to be a role model. I asked him to. Not to repeat myself, they’ve got to learn from him. Look at his fitness, he’s 34 next month. And the way he has looked after himself.” Is this a statement win? And how is Marcus Rashford? “Marcus felt his knee but have to do a scan. Hopefully not too bad, see tomorrow. For us it’s a good feeling, to play on our terms, we’ve had some good results, going with diamond, 3-5-2 to nullify the opponents, to win today with a positive selection, and to see us win that’s the statement to ourselves, confidence boost that we can match the best with our style of football.” How did you think Donny played today? “You could see his cleverness and movement, how efficient he is with the ball. He was mentally prepared for this game a few days ago, felt he’d done his job when we took him off and Bruno can come on and do his bit. Was a good shift and very happy with him.” It was a big moment to beat Liverpool in 1999, is it the same today? “Well, definitely in the dressing room there is a great atmosphere, I will answer you that one on Wednesday night. Seriously, I want to see the reaction, how we can now mentally go again against Sheffield United. That’s the challenge now. We have beaten Liverpool, everyone is elated, everyone is really high, very happy and they should be but tomorrow morning I want to see players thinking about Wednesday, not what happened today.” How is Eric Bailly? “Eric will be available, it was just a little thing and I didn’t want to risk him, Victor was ready, had cover on bench. He’s fine, no problem. I can’t say if he’s playing but he’ll be fit and available for selection for Wednesday." What is the situation with Lingard? “Trained this morning, wasn’t in squad, wants to play football, we will have to see and sit down with Jesse and make a decision on what we are going to do. He’s been ultimate professional, trained well this morning with a small group, not in squad, I will sit down and speak with him again and see if anything comes up. Happy to have him in and around us as I know he could have come in today and done well.”