Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shows off his spirit | Football News

United lost three players following first-half injury to Liverpool

Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer showed his spirit

Manchester United's scoreless draw against Liverpool was not pretty, but it did highlight some of the important qualities that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought to the team, Adam Bate writes.

After ten Premier League matches, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been appointed acting director of Manchester United. Even the two matches that he did not win were seen as victories. There was no late return as against Burnley this time, but the draw against Liverpool prevented their rivals from scoring two points and was won against adversity.

If Solskjaer thought that losing two players at half-time, as he had done against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, was a test, how about three and a half years? The boss of United was not only forced to make three substitutions due to injuries to Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard, but he had to manage with a half-fit Marcus Rashford for 90 minutes.

The answer he received from his players spoke volumes – and volume was certainly the word at Old Trafford Sunday. Supporters have endured draws with no goals in the past few seasons, but it was different. They quickly recognized that their team was against and supported them throughout the match. "This land is alive," said Gary Neville.

1:50

Solskjaer spoke of Marcus Rashford's bravery over wounded

"We learned a lot about the club atmosphere during this second half, three months ago they sang" attack, attack, attack "and today they sang the name of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the whole of the second half.The atmosphere was completely transformed – the atmosphere was one of the best I've seen at Old Trafford since years and it was 0-0. "

There was a minute of applause before the kickoff in the honor of legendary club coach Eric Harrison. He helped Neville and many others guide United's top team. It was therefore logical that there should be no less than five young graduates on the field at one point, more than any Premier League team this weekend.

Scott McTominay rewarded Solskjaer's trust

Lingard did not last long but the remaining four characterized the spirit. Scott McTominay was summoned when Nemanja Matic was expelled just before the kickoff. Some wondered if the midfielder would be ready for the challenge. Solskjaer was not among them and his faith was justified. McTominay outperformed all the other players on the field.

When Herrera left injured in the first 20 minutes, he was joined by Andreas Pereira and also impressed by his energy. At one point early in the second period, the Brazilian brilliantly blocked the center of Jordan Henderson's right. Moments later, he found himself at the other end of the field and worked in the crowd after winning a corner.

Andreas Pereira worked hard after coming into play in the first half

Paul Pogba is rarely badociated with such defensive discipline. Jose Mourinho left him on the bench. But here he showed that he was ready to put his hand to the cause. He roared when he attacked the ball for a touch in the middle of the second half. No one in the field has made more interceptions.

As for Rashford, despite his obvious discomfort, he continued until the end. Indeed, as improbable as it may seem considering his injury, the 21-year-old striker actually did more high intensity sprints than anyone else in either team. "He is a warrior and a man," said Solskjaer. Sky sports then. "He knows what that means."

Arsenal vs Man Utd

March 10, 2019, 4:15 pm

Live of

The same could of course be said of the interim leader. Neville's suggestion that "there would be a mutiny" if Solskjaer does not get the job now reflects the current mood. It's an atmosphere that the Norwegian has helped to create. Each of his words seems to have the right tone and there was one last example in his interview after the match.

Asked to think about the price his team had to pay for their point, he said: "We've lost a few with injuries to the muscles, hamstrings, but we have good kids coming in, you know, so do not worry We will have 11 players on the field on Wednesday. "Eleven players gave everything for United's jersey. These fans respond to that.

Play Super 6

Predict 6 good results for a chance to win £ 250,000.