‘Job done’ for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after Manchester United progress in Europa League

United will face Copenhagen in the quarter-finals

Karl Matchett
Wednesday 05 August 2020 22:37 BST
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Anthony Martial and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer embrace at full-time
Anthony Martial and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer embrace at full-time

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt it was a case of “job done” as his side beat LASK Linz in the Europa League.

The Red Devils were already 5-0 up from the first leg and completed their progression to the last eight with a 2-1 comeback win at Old Trafford.

Despite goals from Jesse Lingard and sub Anthony Martial turning the match around, United’s play was sluggish and uninspiring for much of the match—which Solskjaer attributed to a lack of game time.

“We learned that the players need to play to keep their sharpness,” he said to BT Sport after the final whistle. “They haven’t played for a while and it showed.”

“It’s that sharpness that you lack when you don’t play regularly. Some of these haven’t played regularly since lockdown, some of them haven’t played since Norwich.

“For me, it’s job done, minutes under the belt and ready to travel.”

United now head to Germany and Gelsenkirchen, where the final stages of the Europa League will be held. They face Copenhagen in the quarter-finals, with the likes of Roma, Sevilla and Wolves potentially lying ahead in wait.

Another side who will be aiming to win the trophy are Inter Milan—and Solskjaer affirmed that Alexis Sanchez will make his loan to the Serie A side permanent on Thursday.

“Yes I believe so, I can confirm that. He’s a good player, he’s done well at Inter. We wish him all the best.”

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