Ole's post-match press conference
TranscriptThe boss fields questions from journalists after United's 1-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League...
Q: You talk about progress a lot, a year ago you lost to Burnley and it was very difficult at Old Trafford, a year later you beat them and go top. What does that say about the growth of your squad? “We are getting better and better, of course. I thought we played well here last season as well when away from home around about Christmas but the home game was a disappointing one of course. We’re almost halfway through the season so it’s a little bit of an indication of where we’re at but no one will remember the league table the 12th of Jan.” Q: You’ve spoken a lot about mentality in the last few weeks and day, you players could have got frustrated, but they kept their composure when they were getting frustrated in the second half and what can you say about Paul’s performance? “The frustrations were there for everyone to see and it affected our performance so we can’t let that happen, we’ve just got to accept once in a while that decisions will go against you and Harry’s goal was a perfectly good one so it’s decision that we shouldn’t be sat here talking about. The foul against Cavani and the red card, of course you go back to the foul that Luke did. I’ve not seen it yet, so I can’t really comment on that one, but half time helped us. I thought we came out second half, played really well and deserved the win, then Paul’s performance was – I think him and Nemanja in midfield I think they really played as players who know what this is about and these games, what they’re about.” Q: Winning 1-0, does that mean more to you, that it is one of those gritty wins? “I’d rather win 4-0 and it’s so much more comfortable towards the end, because on 1-0 you’ve got to see out one or two big moments and we did. Maybe a bit fortunate, but still they pegged us back and you expect that here at Turf Moor anyway with the quality of players that they’ve got in the box. But we put our body on the line, blocked, defended, stuck out head in like Luke did. So of course the mentality is getting better, so I’m very pleased with the spirit.” Q: The Premier League have put more advise for managers and players warning them about celebrations, how realistic is it to stop players celebrating? “It is an emotional game football, but we have to understand the – we have to understand the players when they celebrate, but we also understand the concern nowadays for a bit of less emotions and less hugging. But it’s difficult I have to say, because football it brings out the best and the worst in you. Of course when you score you want to celebrate with your teammates, so we’ll do our best to keep with guidelines, of course we will because we want to carry on safely. I think mentally for many people it’s a relief but we understand the situation that the county is in.” Q: What decided which matches you pick you midfield partnerships for? Paul and Nemanja tonight, Fred and Scott last Saturday. “I think they’re two good pairs, in some games we’ve chose Nemanja and Paul and I think they’ve played really well together. I think the two of them really were the difference for us today with the physicality and the experience and the knowhow and the quality. I’m in a lucky position because I’ve got many good midfielders to choose from. So who’s fit, who’s fresh, all these things will play in my mind and of course some of these today have given me food for thought for the time coming up.” Q: How will you approach the Liverpool game? “We’re looking forward to it =, of course you enjoy being where we are at any time, if it is the first game, the last game is a big, big difference, but at the moment we are where we are. You’ve got to go in there knowing that we play against the team that’s been by a mile the best in county for the last year and a half. They are champions by right and we’re looking forward to it and it’s a great test of where we’re at against a good team.”