Solskjaer after another debacle: As long as I’m here, we’ll do everything we can

Manchester United lost the match against their city rivals Manchester City 2-0, continuing a run of lacklustre performances that has seen Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gradually lose the confidence of the management and talk of his sacking is getting louder. How did he react to the defeat?

Solskjaer reacted to the Manchester derby defeat after his charges put in another unconvincing performance. Right from the edge of the box, stopper Eric Bailly knocked the ball into his own net after a fierce centre from Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva headed the ball into the United net at the end of the first half.

“We started badly and passively, when they scored the first goal it was clear we were going to have a tough time. David de Gea kept us in the game with his good saves and then they scored their typical goal. It shouldn’t have happened, ” Solskjaer said after the game.

“It’s difficult to talk about it now. We played against a good team, let’s not forget that, but we didn’t come anywhere near where our standard can be, it’s something we have to get back to,“ continued the Norwegian coach.

Manchester City had a significant advantage in the match, only allowing their opponents even one shot on target. Then, at the end, some of United’s players looked somewhat frustrated.

“We need to play more offensively, be more aggressive, maybe because of the circumstances we were a bit more cautious and passive, ” a devastated Solskjaer realised.

Trying to react after goals

After the break, Manchester United did not mount any major pressure. Solskjaer tried to react to the run of play by making substitutions and changing formation. Already in the 46th minute, the 80 million dollar reinforcement Jadon Sancho came on the field, but even he did not significantly sway the action on the pitch.

“Maybe for the first fifteen to twenty minutes after the break we were more on the ball, but we didn’t create chances,” the Norwegian coach reacted to a “good” start to the second half.

Message to the fans

“It’s hard to get over a game like this. I understand the frustration and disappointment of the fans, but these guys are doing everything they can, just like all the staff. We will do everything we can to get this team back to where it was,” the Red Devils coach sympathized with the fans.

Manchester United are currently in fifth place in the 11th round, nine points behind leaders Chelsea. In the next round, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will travel to Watford.

Source: Manchester United, Youtube