Three things Solskjaer got right but one bad call as Man Utd make European final
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Manchester United booked their place in the Europa League style in convincing fashion as Roma failed to provide the thrilling comeback they needed to upset the applecart.
When Edinson Cavani found the back of the net just five minutes before half-time, it looked like the tie was dead and buried.
But a quick fire double from Roma around the hour mark injected some much needed excitement, though the Serie A side were still chasing a miracle to turn the game on its head.
But Cavani’s second did manage to kill off any real hopes of a revival from the hosts, even in spite of Nicola Zalewski’s debut strike, as the aggregate score finished an incredible 8-5.
So as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer begins the preparations for the final in Gdansk later this month, here are three things he got right but one he didn’t at the Stadio Olimpico.
Letting Cavani loose
Edinson Cavani bagged his sixth goal in as many games in the first half, before doubling his tally to put the game beyond doubt.
But in truth it could have been several more as the Uruguayan’s movement wreaked absolute havoc for the Roma defence, the killer finish surprisingly the only thing Cavani was lacking.
Solskjaer must get this man another year on his contract – a natural goalscoring striker is what the club have been crying out for for far too long.
Risking Bruno to get the job done
Plenty of eyebrows were raised when Bruno Fernandes’ name was on the team sheet, given United’s four goal advantage.
But he proved just how important he is to the heartbeat of the United side with several deft touches to put the Red Devils on the attack, one of which led to Fred finding Cavani to score.
Roma put up a spirited fight too as the game wore on, but when Fernandes found Cavani with a superb ball, the risk had well and truly paid off.
De Gea provides summer nightmare
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Deciding between David de Gea and Dean Henderson will be a real nightmare this summer as the club’s no. 1 for the foreseeable future.
Despite conceding twice, long-term goalkeeper De Gea had a blinder for United to help fire them into the final, making a number of crucial saves in trademark style.
Henderson hasn’t really done much wrong in his run of seven Premier League starts while De Gea was on paternity leave, but can he oust De Gea as no. 1?
This will the story of the summer to keep your eye on.
Full-back rust shows
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Alex Telles and Brandon Williams looked very rusty at left and right back respectively, showing just how much little they have played recently.
Solskjaer has put his full trust in Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and it doesn’t look like their places will be in much danger before the season is out.
Telles and Williams were far too passive to stop crosses coming in from the wings as the Roma fightback got into full swing.
And they will both need to be drilled back to match sharpness if they are to put any kind of pressure on their counterparts.
- David de Gea
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
- Europa League
- Manchester United FC
- AS Roma FC
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