Solskjaer berates Man United for their ‘worst’ display

Manchester — Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has labelled his side’s first-half performance in Tuesday’s League Cup semifinal, first-leg defeat their worst display of the season.

Despite starting the game without a recognised striker, holders Manchester City outclassed United in a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford, scoring all three goals in a 21-minute first-half blitz.

The performance led the Norwegian to question his squad’s mental attitude, saying the players needed to learn to spur themselves on when things went against them.

“From their goal until halftime is the worst we’ve played,” Solskjaer told reporters. “From the first goal until halftime we couldn’t cope. We let them play, our heads dropped, we made decisions we shouldn’t and it needed sorting at halftime.

“It’s natural your head goes down when you feel you’re not performing, but we’ve got to get out of it quicker. It can’t be me coming in at halftime. 

“It’s a young team and we’re learning and these experiences must stick.”

Solskjaer replaced Jesse Lingard with Nemanja Matic at the break to shore up the midfield and they managed to get a foothold in the match with a Marcus Rashford goal, keeping the tie alive ahead of the second leg later in January.

“The second half was a good response, but it’s a steep mountain to climb,” Solskjaer said. “The second half gives me something to believe in because it’s respectable and a good second half.”

Solskjaer said injured centreback Harry Maguire, who did not play after failing a fitness test, may not be ready for the weekend’s Premier League home game against Norwich City.

Reuters