BSP-06 Solskjaer defends United tactics after Van Gaal jibe

390

ZCZC

BSP-06

FBL-ENG-PR-WOLVES-MANUTD

Solskjaer defends United tactics after Van Gaal jibe

WOLVERHAMPTON, United Kingdom, April 1, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer takes Manchester United back to the scene of his worst result as
manager when he visits Wolves on Tuesday, but criticism from Louis van Gaal
won’t ruffle the Norwegian.

Van Gaal made some critical comments in an interview last week in which he
claimed only United’s results have improved, rather than the style of play,
when Solskjaer’s team are compared with the group he inherited from Jose
Mourinho.

It was an observation that seemed to be borne out as United laboured to an
uninspiring 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday, Solskjaer’s 15th victory in 20
games in charge.

But it was also a result that keeps United firmly in contention for a top-
four finish, a prospect that looked nearly impossible when Solskjaer took
over as caretaker for the sacked Mourinho in December.

And, as he prepared to take United back to the scene of their FA Cup
quarter-final defeat to Wolves, Solskjaer was happy to launch an impassioned
defence of his team’s style of football.

“Louis is entitled to his opinion,” he said. “Some games we’ve pressed
really high, won the ball up there and dominated.

“He is probably talking more about the PSG game, which was a game that we
had to defend really well in the circumstances and counter attack.

“It’s about where you win the ball. You want to defend to win the ball to
go forward. You have to win the ball to then attack.

“If you can attack quickly as we did today, then why not? As long as when
you win the ball, your intention is to attack.

“The foundation in any team is to play well without the ball. If you can do
that, then you’ve got a great chance.

“I’m very happy and grateful that I have inherited a team that has had a
great education.

“Most of the players here have had Mourinho, van Gaal, Moyes and Fergie.
They know both sides of the game.

“Of course we will have to add one or two, but they know what I will demand
and expect from them.”

– Top four bid –

Since Solskjaer took over the reigns at Old Trafford, no team — not even
runaway leaders Manchester City or Liverpool — has amassed more league
points than United, although a top-four finish is still far from certain.

United could finish as high as third or as low as sixth, with London clubs
Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal competing with them for what appear to be two
Champions League places.

“Of course we want to come third,” Solskjaer added. “We want to end the
season on a high. We’ve been the best team since just before Christmas with
the amount of points we have got.

“We have played most of the teams, but by the end of the league then we
will have played everyone in my reign and that’s maybe a truer reflection of
where we stand.”

While forward Alexis Sanchez remains unavailable through injury and lack of
match fitness, Solskjaer at least has a near full strength squad from which
to choose.

Defenders Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia are the only injury concerns
for Solskjaer, although the pair have been unavailable for most of the
calendar year.

BSS/AFP/GMR/0825 hrs