Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, delighted, has a message for Manchester United critics and reserves special praise for Bruno Fernandes as they sealed a top 4 on the last day as they finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the League. of Champions.
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Solskjaer and United were unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League games of the season when their attacking unit fired, were largely defensive, and returned to the Champions League after a season out of competition.
Speaking to the reporter via Zoom after the game, Solskjaer was asked about experts who predict that his team will end up outside the top 4 and whether he has finally proved himself the right man for the job.
“It didn’t seem like you were expecting that because all the predictions were sixth or seventh,” Solskjaer said. “That is good. It is a huge challenge and it is not me who answers that. I believe in what I do and I believe in what we have been doing and we will all have different ideas or management in the way we do things. I do it to myself. way and that’s the only way I can do it. I have a fantastic team, the players have bought this, the personalities have taken on what we’ve been doing. I’m not going to say I’m not the man because of course I’m in the work. I believe in what I’m doing. “
Has it been particularly sweet to silence criticism after experts believed Man United would end up outside the top four?
“They have always done this to me. If they criticize me, that makes me stronger and I believe more in what I’m doing, ”Solskjaer smiled. Please don’t praise me too much because you can be accommodating … This is how I am made. I didn’t find out until a few days ago because I was just reading them, some of the staff and I were just arguing. I think third with this team, this squad and where we have been with the reconstruction, is a great achievement for all of us. “
Bruno Fernandes has been a huge reason why Man United is back in the Champions League as his arrival in Sporting Lisbon in January has revived the entire team and Solskjaer admitted that his impact has been incredible.
“We have to admit that he came in and had a massive influence. It has had a massive impact, he has scored fantastic goals, he has created goals, but also his enthusiasm and mentality on the spot have helped, ”said Solskjaer. “Maybe today you can see a tired Bruno and that is natural because he has played too much, you can see his passion, he is moaning a little here and there, but sometimes we will have to take it from him. He stepped forward, calm as you wanted, and escaped the penalty kick.
ProSoccerTalk also asked Solskjaer if this season’s defensive improvements will be key to starting in the Champions League and Premier League next season.
“The foundation of any team is built from behind and that’s our 21st clean sheet and David [de Gea] He has a record today with 114 clean sheets for the club, ”smiled Solskjaer. “We have to be able to have stability from behind to play, and we can unleash talent. Marcus, Anthony, Mason, all the players up front. They haven’t had the pressure of having to score three, four or five goals because lately we’ve been keeping it tight. “
Solskjaer and Man United are in charge and they enjoy proving that skeptics are wrong with this final top 4. Somewhere Sir Alex Ferguson nods to himself and likes what he sees of this young team.
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