📣 Solskjaer provides bizarre excuse for United's home form dipping | OneFootball

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was addressing the media ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Granada.

His side hold a 2-0 first leg lead from the away meeting in Spain.

This is the best of what he had to say …

On team news

“It’s never a positive not to have everyone available [Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are suspended] but we have players ready to deal with that.

“I’ll always pick a team I think will win the game. There will be a few changes – some forced, some rotation.

“But we won’t rest players at risk of suspension. We’ll do everything we can to win. We don’t want lazy yellow cards, just play the game properly.

“Eric Bailly has travelled back [from Ivory Coast after positive COVID-19 test] but isn’t available tomorrow.”

On hypocrisy accusations after Son criticism

“Every manager has certain values. When I got sent off against Newcastle many, many years ago I thought I did the right thing for the club.

“Sir Alex Ferguson absolutely lambasted me after the game, saying ‘we don’t win that way at Man United’. We want to win playing by the book.”

On starting Axel Tuanzebe

“Axel has always been a very positive and hard working boy. Victor and Harry have formed a very good partnership so his chances have been limited.

“He is ready for this opportunity. I don’t think [abuse] affected him.”

On bizarre reason for home form dipping

“You’ll see a change now the banners around the place. It is not red anymore, we have looked into this.

“It shouldn’t be any reason really but, some of the players have mentioned that split second decision, red shirts on red seats, we have tried to change that along with anti-racism campaign.

“That was important it is not red anymore. If you have got a 4-0 advantage we didn’t really have to win that game. In the first leg against Milan we still played well.”

On Jesse Lingard’s form

“Jesse has been brilliant since he left. We could have kept him because he had a part to play. He never once caused me a problem.

“But he deserved a chance to play more football. Of course we want him back. I hope he goes to the Euros.”

On early transfer planning

“The transfer window will comes when it comes. I’m just focusing on finishing the season strong.

“Everyone in this job would like to do deals as soon as possible but my focus is on winning games.”