‘It’s a strange system the way they do it at the moment’: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gets back to work ahead of Barcelona showdown as he bemoans congested schedule
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returned to work on Sunday as attentions turn to Barcelona
- The Man United team reported for a session just a day after beating West Ham
- The United manager has been angered by their current congested schedule
- Solskjaer said: ‘I think UEFA should change the system they use at the moment’
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has afforded himself no respite as it was straight back to the grind on Sunday morning following their victory over West Ham.
United returned to winning ways on Saturday courtesy of two Paul Pogba penalties after a disappointing run saw them lose three of their last four matches but now attentions turn to Barcelona.
Solskjaer, who is unhappy with United’s congested schedule, was seen driving into their Carrington training ground as his players reported for a session on Sunday morning ahead of their quarter-final second leg at the Nou Camp.
It was straight back to the grind for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his Man United team on Sunday
Phil Jones was seen driving into training with stitches after damaging his eye in West Ham win
Marcus Rashford pictured arriving at Carrington as United begin preparations for Barcelona
The United boss has urged UEFA to change their fixture scheduling so both legs of a quarter-final would either be on a Tuesday or a Wednesday.
Under current rules, Spurs and Manchester City play their tie on a Tuesday and then the following Wednesday – an eight-day gap – while United and Barcelona only have six days between their two matches.
‘We tried to google to find out why but if you could find out that’d be great,’ said Solskjaer.
‘If we were going to Barcelona for a Wednesday game, I definitely wouldn’t have made as many changes for the West Ham game. I think UEFA should change that, it’s a strange system the way they do it at the moment.’
Barcelona were forced to take drastic measures to ensure their players would be fresh for the return leg and rested their entire team for the 0-0 draw at Huesca.
Phil Jones, who suffered a nasty gash to his head during United’s 2-1 win over West Ham, was seen with stitches above his left eye as he pulled into the club’s training ground.
Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku and David de Gea were also seen arriving at Carrington on Sunday as United begin their preparations for Barcelona.
Solskjaer’s unhappy with United’s congested schedule as they face Barca again on Wednesday
Striker Romelu Lukaku seen pulling into United’s training ground on Sunday morning
David de Gea rocked up to training on Sunday ahead of Champions League tie at Nou Camp
United head to Spain trailing by one goal and face a tall ask to qualify for the semi-final.
Solskjaer’s men have looked off the pace in recent weeks and will need to re-summon the spirit and energy that saw them pull off mission impossible in the French capital last month.
Despite their sluggish performances of late, former United midfielder Paul Scholes has back them to spring a surprise in the Champions League tie at the Nou Camp.
He said: ‘I don’t think it’s the best Barcelona team we’ve seen for so many years.
‘United went to PSG and did a great job and I think they’re possibly a better team than Barcelona.’
