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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was pleased with Manchester United’s response to the Champions League crash as their players battled for a point against Manchester City in a draw for oblivion.
After terrible defense played a key role in a costly loss at RB Leipzig that saw them enter the Europa League, United players showed the kind of concentration and organization that Germany was lacking.
They looked solid but lacked a prolonged attacking threat in a 0-0 draw against City at an empty Old Trafford, where the video assistant referee disallowed a penalty in the second half when Marcus Rashford had strayed from play before being fouled by Kyle Walker.
Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne had opportunities for City, but they too lacked the lead in a match from which Solskjaer took positive aspects.
‘Well of course it was a big hit during the week, so the way they recovered, the way they worked, how ready they were for the game, I was very, very satisfied with that,’ said the coach of the United. Exceptional attitude.
“ Of course we had some moments where we had to defend, especially in the second half, there were moments where they really tied us up again.
But we stood firm, we defended very well, so in terms of attitude, mental recovery they have done brilliantly.
“Of course I’m happy with a clean sheet, but in games like this, when you have some margins to score the goal, you win. If he has it against him, he loses, so a fair result for me was a draw.
United won three of their four meetings with City last season, but Solskjaer said this was “the best performance we’ve ever had” against Pep Guardiola’s side during his time in charge.
“Possession with the ball, control (was better),” said the Norwegian comparing Saturday with previous meetings. “Of course, I think last year at the Etihad we could have blown them away from minute 10 to 25. We could have scored four goals.
“Incredible counterattack football, but we had about 30 percent possession and that second half we held on.
“ You felt that there were fewer moments to hold on today and we had more ball.
Maybe it’s because they also had more respect for us. I don’t know, but I would like to think that we have developed that side.
“And then today we just didn’t have enough to get those counterattacks that we have.”
Saturday marked City’s sixth straight game in all competitions without conceding, but their lack of offensive momentum against porous United was surprising in a derby that failed to catch the light.
Guardiola said: ‘I don’t know what the feeling was from home but here we know that we can go through more intensity.
But we know that we cannot settle properly because when you attack they will punish you in the counterattack. They are so fast, the quality of Man United.
‘Yes, I would have loved to have more chances, but we had chances with Gabriel (Jesus), Raheem (Sterling) and especially (Riyad) Mahrez in the first half.
“They had a corner in the first half and one in the last half from (Bruno) Fernandes, so we have to build from here.
‘It’s a good point. It’s a point and I would love to win, but it’s okay. It is Old Trafford. He’s a tough, tough opponent, they push, they’re so fast up front. Yes, it’s Man United. ‘
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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