MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted his side were fortunate to grab a much-needed 2-1 win over West Ham on Saturday (April 13) courtesy of two Paul Pogba penalties.
Solskjaer's men had lost four of their previous five games in all competitions and could easily have suffered another damaging defeat to their chances of a top-four Premier League finish.
West Ham had a goal harshly ruled out for offside, hit the crossbar and saw David de Gea make a wonder save to deny Michail Antonio giving them a late lead.
"They played better than us, it is fair to say, I don't think anyone will disagree," said the Norwegian.
"We got away with it. Sometimes we have lost when we should have won, so over a season it evens itself out."
Solskjaer left Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay on the bench among five changes from the side that started Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, first leg defeat to Barcelona.
And he admitted the quick turnaround before facing Barca again in the Camp Nou on Tuesday had affected his team selection.
Â
"Playing on Wednesday, and today and again on Tuesday played a major factor," he added.
"We got away with it, got three points, in a few years no-one will remember how we played if we finished in the top four.
"We rested a couple, thankfully, we got through it and we will be ready for Tuesday. With a performance like this we all know we will struggle in Barcelona, and we will have to improve."
Victory lifted United up to fifth at the expense of Arsenal and to within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Man United not 'satisfied' despite winning run, says David de Gea Manchester United News:
Albirex continue to dominate but Warriors FC showed good signs of resurgence. Find out who made FOX Sports Asia's Singapore Premier League Team of the Week 05. 18 goals in five matches within a
Singapore Premier League Team of the Week 14: Albirex
Jose Mourinho rules himself out of Benfica job | Sports News
"At times we played really good football but it can, and it must be, a lot better on Sunday," said Van Dijk. "There were times where we did not put enough pressure on them and were sloppy and lost the ball. "Against Germany we can expect a completely different game and we all realise that. We know what we are capable of."
JAMES MILNER . Milner wants team to deliver better final ball. Feb 27, 2019, 5:00 am. Subscribe to The Straits Times. call 6388-3838 or click here. Available for iPhones and iPads.
James Milner determined to right the wrongs after three
Football: Home United engage youth in MacPherson through photography and sport SINGAPORE - Singapore Premier League club Home United organised a photography exhibition at the MacPherson Community Club (CC) on Saturday (Dec 29), in what was a culmination of a community outreach programme aimed at youth living in MacPherson.
Latest HOME UNITED | The Straits Times
A crackdown on booming MTA overtime costs is coming — and carrying a whiff of labor unrest from transit workers. "The company brought this problem upon themselves and now they're trying to blame the workers," John Samuelsen, international president of the Transport Workers Union, told THE CITY on Thursday.
The Ticking Clock of Leicester City's Youth Movement
10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held. Sevilla, who have won the Europa League three times, twice went ahead against Slavia Prague but were pegged back on both occasions in a pulsating
Europa League: 10-man Arsenal slump to heavy loss as Chelsea
Man City appeal against possible Champions League ban
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 11, 2019, with the headline 'Spurs blasted for lacking hunger, mental strength'. Print Edition | Subscribe Topics:
Spurs blasted for lacking hunger, mental strength
Full Time: Everton 0-0 Crystal Palace. Despite dominating the match, Everton had to settle for a goalless draw against Crystal Palace in a result that hurts their European hopes. Everton hit the woodwork twice as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 Premier League draw at Crystal Palace despite dominating the contest.
Soccer-Everton held to goalless draw at Palace
Two goals from Marko Arnautovic and Ryan Fredericks's first Premier League strike helped West Ham beat Southampton 3-0 at the London Stadium. Home football; Arnautovic ends drought as West
Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Southampton
Bayern Munich won a record-extending seventh consecutive Bundesliga title on Saturday after crushing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 to finish two points ahead of rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich win Bundesliga title for seventh successive
0 comments:
Post a Comment