Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United deserved to progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League on Monday night.
The Reds beat FC Copenhagen 1-0 in the last-eight stage, but only the heroics of opposition keeper Karl-Johan Johnsson kept the score down, with the Swede registering 13 saves in Cologne – the most of any player in the Europa League since 2009.
Speaking after the game, Ole reserved some special words for the stopper, praised our attacking players and explained why he was actually pleased the game went to extra-time.
WELL-EARNED WIN
“It’s the third time this season we’ve been to the semis in every competition we’ve been in. I’m delighted that we’re through but think we deserved to win tonight. Their keeper was fantastic – actually, unbelievable – but we hit the post a couple of times and there were a few VAR decisions against us. It could have been one of those nights that you end up with a penalty shoot-out because they created opportunities, maybe not shots on target because Sergio didn’t have to make a save I don’t think. We had to block, we had to defend well. They made it hard for us. We needed it and thankfully we’ve got six days until the next one and that one day extra will help us.“
PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE
“It’s a good team, a well-organised team. They had the press and they had a game-plan. They had triggers where they jumped and they pressed us. Of course, they had a decent chance in the first half when they caught Fred on the ball. It was a good recovery from the lads. I knew they were going to be hard to break down. It was about patience and not making mistakes and not giving them opportunities that they don’t have to. Let them earn chances and we knew we would get chances. Anthony, Marcus, Bruno, Mason and Paul will always create chances in every game.”
DEALING WITH THE HEAT
“It’s very warm. I think some of these hadn’t played since the Leicester game, so I think they needed a run-out. It was a good work-out. Of course, we’re through – that’s the main thing, the only thing really.“
