Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts to Manchester United's derby defeat
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Manchester United must "stick together" after their miserable run of form continued with a derby defeat at Old Trafford.
The Norwegian was left applauding largely empty stands after another frustrating clash against their biggest rivals, who they've only beaten once at home in the league since 2011.
The result added to the growing list of problems for Solskjaer, who has lost seven of his last nine games in charge, and they remain three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea in the race to finish in the Champions League places.
Worryingly from a long-term point of view, United are 25 points adrift of the Premier League leaders and Solskjaer had to agree the gulf in class was also evident on the night.
"Towards the end you can see," he said. "I thought our players came out with a great attitude, we got a reaction from them, from the crowd and had some half-decent chances.
"We were beaten by a better team."@ManUtd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer discusses tonight's loss to @ManCity and "the gulf in quality" between the two sides.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 24, 2019
📲 - https://t.co/h8IlNQKl7S pic.twitter.com/HB4RQYWOdu
"They had biggest one with (Raheem) Sterling but at half-time we felt we were still in the game and then more and more after they scored you could see the difference.
"Of course you're at home against a very good team but at home you want to win games like this.
"But they've set the standard and been the best team in country and that's the challenge for us.
"We're not there now for everyone to see but that's what I'm in the job for, to improve and get closer to them."
🚍 "These are the same players that threw Mourinho under the bus and they'll do exactly the same to Ole."
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) April 24, 2019
Roy Keane certainly didn't need to eat his pre-match words...#MUNMCI #MUFC pic.twitter.com/btrAfg25AB
Despite the poor run of results, United still have a chance to qualify for the Champions League, and can move level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea when Maurizio Sarri's side visit Old Trafford on Sunday.
"I'm concerned about the lack of results we are getting, but in times like this it's not the time to point fingers at anyone," Solskjaer said.
"We've got to stick together. The strange reality is we're in with a shout for the top four.
"You could see a reaction but now we need more quality. We need to win that game. If we win it there are two games to make sure we get enough points and goals."
Before the game former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, working as a pundit on Sky Sports, hit out at the club's players and said they will throw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer "under the bus".
"These are the same players who threw (former boss Jose) Mourinho under the bus and they will do exactly the same to Ole," Keane said.
"Leopards don't change their spots. There's too many bluffers at this club to get United back to the very top.
"Even the point that we're talking about Man United trying to finish fourth tells you how the standards have dropped over the last few years - both on and off the pitch.
"It's a big test for Ole as well of course."
The performance on the night ensured Keane would not have to eat his words.
Manchester United's woeful run of form
Manchester United have now lost seven of their last nine games in all competitions (W2 D0 L7), after losing just one of their first 17 under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (W14 D2 L1).
We take a look at how his side's form have unravelled alarmingly...
March 10: Arsenal (a), Premier League, 0-2
Granit Xhaka's long-range strike and a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty ended Solskjaer's unbeaten league start at the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners leapfrogged United into the top four.
March 16: Wolves (a), FA Cup quarter-final, 1-2
Second-half goals from Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota meant it was Wolves and not misfiring United who progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals with Marcus Rashford's late strike providing scant consolation.
March 30: Watford (h), Premier League, 2-1
Two days after being appointed as manager on a permanent basis, Solskjaer watched his side labour to victory over Watford as goals from Rashford and Anthony Martial proved decisive despite Abdoulaye Doucoure's late effort.
April 2: Wolves (a), Premier League, 1-2
United slipped to their second defeat at Molineux inside 17 days when Scott McTominay's opener was cancelled out by Jota and then overhauled by Chris Smalling's own goal after Ashley Young had been sent off.
April 10: Barcelona (h), Champions League quarter-final, first leg, 0-1
Luke Shaw's own goal left his side with a mountain to climb in their Champions League quarter-final with Barcelona after a tight encounter at Old Trafford.
April 13: West Ham (h), Premier League, 2-1
Two Paul Pogba penalties, the second of them with just 10 minutes remaining, secured an unconvincing win over the Hammers, for whom Felipe Anderson had earlier levelled.
April 16: Barcelona (a), Champions League quarter-final, second leg, 0-3
A bloodied Lionel Messi killed off any hope of a comeback at the Nou Camp with two goals before the break to set the stage for Philippe Coutinho to complete the damage with a wonder-strike.
April 21, Everton (a), Premier League, 0-4
United's plight deepened in spectacular style when they succumbed to first-half goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson before Lucas Digne and Theo Walcott heaped on the humiliation after the break.
April 24: Manchester City (h), Premier League, 0-2
Despite looking composed and organised during the first half at a rain-soaked Old Trafford, United's defence was breached by Bernardo Silva after the break and Leroy Sane was soon on target, too.
Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City: Opta Stats
- Manchester City have won seven away Premier League against Manchester United at Old Trafford – more than any other team.
- Manchester United have now lost seven of their last nine games in all competitions (W2 D0 L7), after losing just one of their first 17 under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (W14 D2 L1).
- Manchester City have scored 157 goals in all competitions this season – the most by an English top-flight side in a single season in history.
- Man City boss Pep Guardiola is the first manager to win three consecutive away Premier League matches at Old Trafford against Man Utd and only the third to win three away matches there, along with Arsène Wenger and Gérard Houllier.
- Manchester United are without a clean sheet in 12 consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since August 1971.
- In combining for the second goal, Leroy Sané (10 goals, 10 assists) and Raheem Sterling (17 goals, 10 assists) both reached 10 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season; the only other player to do so is Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
- Man City end tonight top of the Premier League, overtaking Liverpool – this is the 28th time the lead has changed hands at the end of a day, the joint-most in a single Premier League season (also 28 times in the 2001-02 season).
- Vincent Kompany received his 10th yellow card in the Manchester derby in the Premier League, becoming one of only three players to receive 10 yellows in a single Premier League fixture (also Jamie Carragher in Liverpool vs Man Utd & Mark Noble in Spurs vs West Ham).
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