Rome (AFP) – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer criticised football authorities for Manchester United’s punishing schedule after his side advanced to the Europa League final on Thursday, calling it “physically impossible” for his team.
United advanced to the May 26 showdown with Villarreal in Gdansk 8-5 on aggregate despite losing 3-2 to Roma in their semi-final second leg at the Stadio Olimpico.
And now his players have to face the prospect of four Premier League fixtures in 10 days after Edinson Cavani’s brace staved off a valiant attempt at a comeback from their Italian opposition.
On Sunday they travel to Aston Villa and by next Thursday they will have hosted Liverpool and Leicester, the visit of Fulham coming the following Tuesday.
Channels Television
Updated May 7, 2021
Roma’s Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca (L) congratulates Manchester United’s Norwegian coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (R) at the end of the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg football match between AS Roma and Manchester United at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, on May 6, 2021.
Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer criticised football authorities for Manchester United’s punishing schedule after his side advanced to the Europa League final on Thursday, calling it “physically impossible” for his team.
United advanced to the May 26 showdown with Villarreal in Gdansk 8-5 on aggregate despite losing 3-2 to Roma in their semi-final second leg at the Stadio Olimpico.
8dTor-Kristian Karlsen
Cavani 9/10, Telles 3/10 as Man United lose second leg but still advance to Europa League final
play
Do Manchester United actually need Paul Pogba? (1:00)
Mark Ogden contemplates Paul Pogba s best position for Man United as questions surrounding his future continue. (1:00)
Manchester United booked a Europa League final place for the second time in five years despite slipping to a 3-2 defeat against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
The hosts started brightly and should have taken the lead as Gianluca Mancini, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all squandered chances, only for Edinson Cavani to blast United ahead late in the first half.
Solskjaer blasts United s tight schedule after reaching Europa League final
The Norwegian said the fixture list had been made by people who have never played football at this level
AFP May 07, 2021
ROME:
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer criticised football authorities for Manchester United s punishing schedule after his side advanced to the Europa League final on Thursday, calling it physically impossible for his team.
United advanced to the May 26 showdown with Villarreal in Gdansk 8-5 on aggregate despite losing 3-2 to Roma in their semi-final second leg at the Stadio Olimpico.
And now his players have to face the prospect of four Premier League fixtures in 10 days after Edinson Cavani s brace staved off a valiant attempt at a comeback from their Italian opposition.
De Gea, Cavani shine for Man United against Roma 2 minutes read
Sports Desk, May 6 (EFE).- Manchester United began Thursday’s Europa League semifinal second leg against AS Roma with a commanding 6-2 lead, but the Red Devils would need a clutch performance by goalkeeper David De Gea and a brace from Edinson Cavani to escape with a 3-2 loss and advance to the final 8-5 on aggregate.
United, who won the Europa League four years ago with Jose Mourinho as coach, are headed to their first final in any competition since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge of the squad in 2018.