KING POWER STADIUM — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident he is the right manager to return Manchester United to Premier League title challengers after guiding them to Champions League qualification on the final day of the season.
Manchester United beat Leicester City to conclude the campaign in third, ahead of Chelsea on goal difference and resigning Brendan Rodgers’s side, who were 14 points head of United at one stage, to fifth. Had they lost United would have missed out.
Solskjaer, who has led United to semi-finals of the League Cup and FA Cup and is still in the Europa League, has his sights on challenging Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League trophy and warns his players next season will be even tougher.
“It’s a massive challenge,” Solskjaer said. “I believe in what I do, believe in what I have been doing. We all have different ideas of management and how we go about things. I do it my way. That’s the only way I can do it. I have fantastic staff, the players have bought into what we’re doing. I’m in the job and I believe in what I’m doing.
“Next season with Champions League football instead of the Europa League it will be different. We want to move up the league table, we can’t take our eye off the league and rest players in the Europa League. It will be more demanding on the players.
“Next season will be even more challenging, testing and tough for them. They’ve got to get used to playing 45-50 games each season if we’re to be successful.”
United’s season was transformed by the arrival of Bruno Fernandes for £47million from Sporting Lisbon in January, and the emergence of teenager Mason Greenwood from the academy was a huge plus. Qualifying for the Champions League will give them spending boost to improve.
“We have to admit Bruno has come in and been a massive influence, had massive impact,” Solskjaer said. “Scoring goals, creating goals, his mentality and enthusiasm around the place.”
Leicester manager Rodgers hailed his striker Jamie Vardy as world class after the 33-year-old became the oldest golden boot winner, finishing on 23 Premier League goals. “Since the day I walked in the door he’s been brilliant, a real talisman for this team. We needed others around him to get to his level. We wouldn’t be where we are without that quality.”
Rodgers will, however, look to strengthen in attack and with creative players as he embarks upon a Europa League campaign next season. “If you want to challenge above us it’s about quality and creativity in the squad,” he said. “Defensively we’ve been strong. We would like to add more creativity and attacking thrust.”
Rodgers insists that he is unconcerned about Premier League rivals poaching his own players after they missed out on Champions League football. “It’s something I’m relaxed about,” Rodgers said. “We have a talented group of players who will interest some. But we offer a fantastic environment for players to develop and improve in.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3g11XrW
Post a Comment