SM
Man City vs. Everton: 18 hrs 24 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
IB
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 4, 2020 at 5.55pm UK
Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu
MU

Istanbul
2 - 1
Man Utd

Ba (13'), Visca (40')
Skrtel (89')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Martial (43')
Tuanzebe (20')

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refuses to comment on speculation surrounding his future

:Headline: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refuses to comment on speculation surrounding his future: ID:421097: from db_amp
The Old Trafford boss deflected questions over his position following the 2-1 loss.

Under-fire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declined to comment on his future after Manchester United's Premier League problems were compounded by a shock Champions League loss to Istanbul Basaksehir.

With the stuttering Red Devils sat 15th in the Premier League, their impressive return to European football's top table has provided much-needed positivity.

United followed the deserved 2-1 victory at last season's Champions League finalists Paris St Germain by stunning RB Leipzig 5-0, but it does not take long for pressure to ratchet up at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer knows about those expectations better than anyone and faces increasing scrutiny after Sunday's uninspiring 1-0 home loss to Arsenal was followed up by a chastening 2-1 defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir.

Istanbul Basaksehir's Demba Ba celebrates after scoring his side's opener against United (AP)

"The last two results have been a punch in our stomach," the United boss said after the Group H clash in Turkey.

"The only way I know of – well, I hope the players as well – to respond is to get your act together for the Everton game.

"Because we know that's going to be a tough and difficult game, so I'm glad we've got a game already on Saturday.

"Disappointed with the result. Of course we picked a team to win the game and we hoped that we had enough to create chances. We just didn't.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faced questions about his future after his side lost in Istanbul (AP)

"Emotion doesn't really matter, the emotions, the feelings.  I think you can expect or think yourself how we feel after we lose. That's not something we go out to do."

Saturday lunchtime's trip to Goodison Park looks set to be a huge match for United ahead of the international break.

Furious former skipper Roy Keane claimed there was a lack of leadership and heart in the loss to Arsenal when he also warned that the current crop of players could get Solskjaer sacked.

Asked if he feared for his job at this stage, United boss Solskjaer laughed and then said: "You know, I decline to comment on such a thing.

"Of course it's early on and, you know, opinions are out there all the time. You've got to stay strong.

"I'm employed by the club to do a job and I do that to the best of my ability with our staff."

Solskjaer has led United to some memorable results since replacing Jose Mourinho – initially on a temporary basis – in December 2018, but the manner of Wednesday's defeat was as jarring as the result itself.

The Norwegian called the inexplicable lack of organisation and awareness for Demba Ba's opener "unforgivable", while more lacklustre defending gave Basaksehir skipper Edin Visca the chance to double their advantage.

Anthony Martial's goal did not lead to a Manchester United comeback (AP)

Anthony Martial pulled one back before the break but United could not eke out a leveller, with Alexandru Epureanu clearing off the line in stoppage-time to seal a famous first-ever Champions League group stage win for the hosts.

"Playing a short corner and everyone forgets to get back with the players they're playing against and Demba Ba snuck in behind us," Solskjaer said.

"Lack of communication and lack of good decisions. You don't really see them goals at this level. We shouldn't concede easy goals like this.

"We know how hard it is to create goals and create chances and when you give easy and soft goals like the two we have done here today it makes it a lot harder."

amp_article__421097 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-11-04 21:40:44:
html db last update - 2020-11-04 21:40:44 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .