SM
Cagliari vs. Juventus: 7 hrs
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Solskjaer hopes Europa League win would be "stepping stone" for Man United

:Headline: Solskjaer hopes Europa League win would be 'stepping stone' for Man United:
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to win his first trophy as manager of the club he enjoyed so much success with as a player.
Sports Mole

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United can take a big step towards a "bright future" by winning the Europa League final against Villarreal on the 22nd anniversary of his treble heroics.

Having led the Red Devils to second place in the Premier League, the Norwegian is looking to underline their progress by winning his first trophy as manager of the club he enjoyed so much success with as a player.

The Europa League provided United's last silverware four years ago and Wednesday's final comes 22 years to the day after Solskjaer's stoppage-time winner against Bayern Munich in the Champions League showpiece.

Treble-winning manager Sir Alex Ferguson travelled with the squad to Poland and Solskjaer believes victory against Villarreal at Stadion Gdansk could kick-start an exciting new chapter at Old Trafford.

"We have five wins in Europe," Solskjaer said. "We've lost twice to Barcelona.

"These are big nights for us. It might be the stepping stone for something better to come, a bright future because this team is a young team.

"It's a team that we've rebuilt over the last couple of years, so hopefully this is the start of something more.

"Of course Sir Alex is with us, we know the 26th of May is Sir Matt (Busby)'s birthday, but the players, when they sign for Man United, they sign to win trophies.

"They accept the challenge of being the best because this is the best club in the world, so that's the pleasure of the pressure of Man United. That's something they are ready for because they wouldn't have signed here if they weren't top players."

Harry Maguire, left, sustained ankle ligament damage 16 days ago (Peter Powell/PA)

United will be cheered on by 2,000 travelling fans among a socially-distanced 9,500 crowd at Stadion Gdansk, where captain Harry Maguire sat out training on the eve of the game.

The 28-year-old is one of just a handful of injuries, meaning there will be some disappointed big-name players left on the bench on Wednesday evening.

But Solskjaer, the archetypal super sub, wants disgruntled players to harness that frustration and be ready to make a difference from the bench, just as he did in Barcelona on May 26, 1999.

"What I learnt? Trust your team, trust your gut instinct," the United manager said.

"Obviously I'll tell the team or especially the subs that I'm not starting that they might have to play a big part for us because it's happened before.

"Be disappointed, be angry with me but be ready when you come on and whoever starts, make sure you enjoy it because you don't play too many finals in your life."

But Solskjaer will be hoping there are many to come as United manager, just as there was for Ferguson.

The Norwegian and a number of his players attended the premiere of a new film about the Scot's life last week and he believes his presence around the camp in Gdansk could act as inspiration for his players.

"He flew out with us on Monday," Solskjaer said. "Some of us, some of the players and staff, went to see his documentary.

"I sat there thinking about this man and what he's done for the club. He's a special man.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left, and Sir Alex Ferguson (Martin Rickett/PA)

"He's like an encyclopedia of football – even though I got him on a quiz question yesterday.

"One of the players getting an answer before him, I'm sure he is not happy wit that!

"Just to have him around when we eat in the restaurant. I'm sure the players, if they wonder about something, can ask him and he's always available for a chat because this is the club in his heart.

"I hope he's going to enjoy it tomorrow night as well because I owe most of my career to him and this club."

body check tags ::

amp_article__449043 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-05-25 18:28:22:
html db last update - 2021-05-25 17:14:07 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
MU
Read Next:
Five major talking points ahead of the Europa League final
>


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!
Read more about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Alex Ferguson Football Football Football Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Five major talking points ahead of the Europa League final
Man Utd 'prepared to break transfer record for Real Madrid star'
Euro 2024: Confirmed teams, favourites and everything you need to know about this summer's tournament in Germany
Manchester City planning Josko Gvardiol move?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416
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.

history www

Liverpool to battle PSG for Chelsea defender?

1

LT

Chelsea, Newcastle 'considering move for out-of-favour Arsenal man'

2

CN

How Man United could line up against Coventry City

NEW

3

HM

Bayern, Liverpool suffer blow as Nagelsmann signs new long-term Germany contract

NEW

4

BL

Spurs 'winning race to sign Premier League attacker'

5

S'

Arsenal plotting £165m swoop for Premier League attacking duo?

6

AP

Friday's Serie A predictions including Cagliari vs. Juventus

7

FS

Leverkusen set record for longest-ever unbeaten run in Europe's top-five leagues

8

LS

Preview: Man City vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PM

How Chelsea could line up against Man City

10

HC


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