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Solskjaer says Fulham draw a wake-up call ahead of Europa League final

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer feels his team have been playing as individuals in...
Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

22.31 18 May 2021


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Solskjaer says Fulham draw a w...

Solskjaer says Fulham draw a wake-up call ahead of Europa League final

Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

22.31 18 May 2021


Share this article


Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer feels his team have been playing as individuals in recent games. 

The Europa League finalists appear to be ending the Premier League season with a whimper. They're now without a win in their last three games.

United's latest disappointment came on Tuesday night as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford by the already-relegated Fulham.

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Edinson Cavani put the hosts in front early on with a sublime chip from distance that sailed over the head of Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

But Fulham were unbowed. Ademola Lookman almost drew them level with a close range shot from a tight angle that David De Gea had to tip onto the crossbar. Bobby Decordova-Reid's cross from the right was met by the head of the totally unmarked Joe Bryan.

 

"It's great to have the fans, the buzz, the energy, but I don't think we put on the performance they wanted and deserved," Solskjaer admitted post-match.

"We had some good spells but not enough.

"We were too loose, giving the ball away too often, trying the fantastic pass, the flick, maybe it's because the crowd came in and we wanted to entertain them.

He later added, "We need to play better against Villarreal than what we have the last three games.

“But I think you’ve seen so many times that when we’ve been backed into a corner, when we’ve lost, when we’ve been criticised, we’ve always come back and stuck together.

“I think it might be a wake-up call because we tried to do the fancy stuff – the flicks, the extraordinary things, the things that pleased the fans.

“That’s not what we’re about. We should be more efficient.

“Have a look at Cavani, have a look at how he plays the game. Every single one of us look at him.

“Back tackles, runs, scores – there’s no fluff. And we can’t have fluff in a game of football.”

Meanwhile, the United boss has conceded that Harry Maguire is losing his battle to be fit for the meeting with Villareal in Gdansk.

The defender suffered an ankle ligament injury in the recent win away to Aston Villa.

"We've got 10 days so hopefully everybody will be available that were available today," Solskjaer said, "Harry [Maguire] we are working on [but] doesn't look great. Anthony [Martial] we still got a little bit of hope for."

"We've had a couple of players that got knocks and injuries today with Scott [McTominay] and Fred. So I'll see how they are. Unfortunately, Scott had to come off and Fred doesn't look great when he's walking now."

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