Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pleased with rotation picks after late FA Cup win at Norwich

United remain in the hunt for silverware at the end of this season

Karl Matchett
Saturday 27 June 2020 15:48 EDT
Comments
Liverpool's Premier League title-winning season in pictures

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer acknowledged his team were not at their best in beating Norwich City after extra time in the FA Cup.

But the Norwegian boss insisted being in the next round was all that counts at this stage and pointed to the positive of game time for his fringe players, despite a disjointed performance.

United needed a 118th-minute Harry Maguire goal to see off the Canaries in the quarter-finals at Carrow Road, with the home side playing the entirety of extra time with 10 men.

Solskjaer refrained from being critical at the lack of cohesion in his team, though, with several of them not having featured much since the resumption of action in May.

“That’s football for you,” he said after the game to BBC Sport. “The game was not the greatest spectacle, but I felt we kept the ball ok. We didn’t create enough chances or threaten enough, but you’re delighted you’re in the semi-finals.

“It was a good workout, [we] got minutes into many players and rested quite a few. Maybe [the lack of cohesion was] to be expected, many of these didn’t play since LASK Linz [in the Europa League] before the lockdown.

“The rhythm and tempo wasn’t there but we’re through and happy with that.”

Solskjaer also pointed to his team having been handed tricky draws throughout the FA Cup run so far and had praise for stand-in striker Odion Ighalo, who scored the opening goal of the game.

Odion Ighalo celebrates after putting United in front
Odion Ighalo celebrates after putting United in front (Reuters)

“We’re through and that’s what matters in the cup. We’ve been drawn away every round so we’ve done well to get here. It’s great to have the option to rotate.

“Anthony [Martial] came on and did well, created chances, but Odion firstly gives the chance to rotate and rest Martial and secondly he’s a proven goalscorer as well.

“Today he’s played a part in both goals and he’s great around the dressing room as well.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in