Solskjaer seeks spirit of PSG as Utd face uphill task against City in League Cup
Manchester United’s manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer asked his players to seek inspiration from their win against PSG in the Champions League match. Agence France-Presse
United face a herculean task of overturning a 3-1 deficit in the second leg after being beaten by the arch-rivals in the first leg of the semi-final of the showpiece event.
In-form Marcus Rashford’s performance in the recent matches gives United a glimmer of hope heading to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday and the coach asked the players to seek inspiration from the stunning comeback win against PSG in the Champions League last March.
United, who were 2-0 down after the first leg, staged a miraculous comeback in Paris before storming to win on away goals.
“Well, it looked like it was over at half-time,” he said, referring to the first leg of the City match.
“I have to say the second part of that first half, they outplayed us for a while and it’s hard.
“But then when we got the goal, of course you’re back in it, we hope for another one.
“But now we’ve got to go into the memory bank and think PSG because we’ve done it against good teams before and it gives us some hope, and the game in December (when United won 2-1 against City) of course gives us hope that we can do something there.”
Solskjaer confirmed Nemanja Matic is a doubt for the second leg in a press conference that included plenty of transfer talk but no updates.
Sporting midfielder Bruno Fernandes reportedly remains a target for the club, while a number of enquiries have been made as United look at possible attacking options.
Alexis Sanchez would have been an option but does not have a recall clause in his loan deal, although Solskjaer expects him to have an Old Trafford future when he returns from Inter Milan at the end of the season.
“We’ve got players here we’re working hard to get back as well and if there is something out there, then the club are pursuing that and looking at it,” said the United boss.
“Of course it is a difficult window. It always has been. I can’t remember how many good ones we’ve brought in, good deals that we’ve brought in in January. Henrik (Larsson) was good, Nemanja (Vidic) and Patrice (Evra) were two good ones.”
When January 2018 signing Sanchez was mentioned, Solskjaer said: “It’s very hard because the clubs don’t want to lose their best players. Alexis will come back in the summer and prove you all wrong.”
Solskjaer expects defender Marcos Rojo to stay at Old Trafford despite speculation over a move to former club Estudiantes de la Plata.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has said he did not intend to upset Manchester City fans with comments about the size of the crowd at the Etihad Stadium for Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Fulham.
A crowd of 39,223, well short of the 55,000 capacity, watched the routine 4-0 win over the 10-man Cottagers.
After that game, Guardiola said: “Motivation was right and hopefully in the next game against United, our fans can come and make the stadium full.
“It was not full. I don’t know why. (Wednesday) gives a chance to go back to Wembley. Hopefully they will support us more.”
When it was put to him the financial demands placed on football fans, Guardiola said on Tuesday: “I understand the fans. It was never my intention to offend them. It’s so nice to have the fans here. I am always grateful for their support.
“Since I arrived here until the last day I want to fight to play as well as possible and see the Etihad full for every game.”
Agencies
