‘Ole hasn’t turned up for two years now!’: Solskjaer’s post-Champions League exit interview is TORN APART by angry Manchester United fans – after he bizarrely hailed his team’s character, despite admitting they ‘didn’t turn up’
- Manchester United needed a draw against RB Leipzig but lost 3-2 on Tuesday
- They have been dumped into the Europa League in major blow to their season
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his team ‘didn’t turn up’ and fans have been outraged
- Many supporters pointed out fact that it is Solskjaer’s job to get them to ‘turn up’
Manchester United fans were infuriated by Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s post-match admission that his side ‘didn’t turn up’ against RB Leipzig after they were dumped out of the Champions League.
Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat in Germany was a massive blow for the Old Trafford club and will see them playing Europa League football in 2021.
Plenty of United fans listening in to Solskjaer’s post-game interview and were baffled by what they heard.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s post-match interview attracted the ire of Manchester United fans
The manager told BT Sport: ‘Of course you can’t say that we were good enough, we weren’t good enough. We didn’t perform as a team well enough, that is the manager’s responsibility.
‘We never got going – we didn’t turn up until they got the second goal. You can’t say that we were good enough. We weren’t good enough.’
But despite saying his team didn’t turn up until it was too late, he praised ‘great spirit’ in his side.
The Norwegian’s comments angered plenty of supporters only, many who feel that United need to make a change in the dugout.
United stars look on glumly during their 3-2 defeat at RB Leipzig which confirmed their exit
Justin Kluivert’s strike 21 minutes from time proved crucial in the end as it finished 3-2
One wrote: ‘Pretty sure that’s the manager’s fault, Ole hasn’t turned up for two years now!’
While another chimed in with: ‘How can a team not turn up to the most important game of the season so far? Are they content with Europa? Don’t think Solskjaer turned up with the substitutions either.’
And plenty of supporters noticed an unwelcome pattern appearing. One wrote: ‘Didn’t turn up vs Chelsea in the League Cup semi-final, didn’t turn up vs Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final, didn’t turn up vs Sevilla in the Europa League semi-final, didn’t turn up vs Leipzig in the Champions League. Anyone notice a pattern under Ole? #timesup.’
Some found the post-match contradiction strange, with a fan writing: ‘So Solskjaer says “we didn’t turn up” in one sentence, then “I can’t fault the character and effort” in the next. Which is it? Plot lost #sackrace.’
Solskjaer is under massive pressure ahead of the clash with Manchester City on Saturday
Another joked: ‘Just heard that the government have put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in charge of Brexit talks as he’s an expert at getting out of Europe.’
And there was also a section of fans online who want former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino to take the helm.
That sentiment was captured by a fan who posted: ‘Ed Woodward needs to wise up fast in his hitherto very poor career as exec chairman of Manchester United and make a swift, bold and proactive decision by terminating Solskjaer’s contract with immediate effect. Pochettino has good form in Premier League and Champions League so get him in.’
United were without Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani, both suffering with minor injuries, for the trip to face Leipzig.
They found themselves a goal down just two minutes in when former Manchester City defender Angelino arrowed a strike into David de Gea’s far corner.
Solskjaer had to deal with the Paul Pogba distraction in the hours preceding the game
Following a nervous last 10 minutes, Leipzig players celebrated holding on for a big win
Amadou Haidara then volleyed in the second before Justin Kluivert’s third put the Bundesliga outfit even further ahead in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes pulled one back with a penalty and Harry Maguire’s header cut the deficit to one shortly afterwards to give United hope but they were unable to find the crucial third goal.
The implications for United are significant both in terms of their ambitions this season and financially as they miss out on the big pay days of the knockout stages.
Solskjaer’s side play Manchester City in the derby this Saturday and another defeat will ratchet up the pressure even further on the manager.
