Man Utd: Solskjaer reflects on Champions League qualification
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly fired a strong warning to his players in the dressing room after his side’s 2-0 win over Leicester on Sunday. The Red Devils booked their place in next season’s Champions League courtesy of goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard. Yet the Norwegian was in no mood to celebrate at the final whistle.
Manchester United went into Sunday’s game against Leicester knowing they needed just a point to secure Champions League qualification.
But they picked up all three, with Fernandes and Lingard both on target.
Fernandes opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 71st minute after Anthony Martial was fouled in the area, sending Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way.
And Lingard then made the points safe after capitalising on a mistake from the Leicester goalkeeper, slotting home into an empty net.
United players were happy at the final whistle, with the likes of Lingard and Victor Lindelof posing for photographs.
But the Metro say that, after the match, Solskjaer fired a strong warning to his players ahead of next season.
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It’s said that he praised his squad for their efforts and told them they deserved to be in the top four, having overcome a 14-point gap.
But he told them this must be the starting point of their improvement and that they must demand better from themselves in the future.
He supposedly feels his young side have little experience of ‘high pressure’ matches.
And he was concerned by the nature of their FA Cup defeat to Chelsea, feeling the Blues ‘managed’ the magnitude of the occasion better on the day.
Speaking after the match against Leicester, meanwhile, Solskjaer admitted he was happy to have got United firing again - and silenced critics in the process.
"I don't think many were predicting it, the predictions were for us to finish sixth or seventh," he said.
“I had a chat with all of them today saying no matter what happened today we'd had a fantastic season.
“We're building a culture. I'm very pleased and proud of their efforts. To win this game was massive mentally as we've lost two semi-finals."
Solskjaer also hailed Fernandes for his contribution, with the Portugal international shining ever since his move from Sporting back in January.
"We have to admit that he's been a massive influence," he said.
"A massive impact and he has been scoring and creating goals. But also his enthusiasm and mentality has helped.
“Maybe today you could see a tired Bruno but that's natural as he's played to much. You can see his passion and he was moaning a little here and there, we might have to take that away from him sometimes. But he stepped up, calm as you like and tucked away the penalty."
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