FA Cup

Solskjaer enjoys a much-needed comfortable day in FA Cup

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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
  • Post published:January 27, 2020

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer savoured a rare “comfortable day” as Manchester United breezed into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 6-0 battering of Tranmere.

The Norwegian has been under pressure after Premier League defeats to Liverpool and Burnley in the last week and United’s form coupled with the boggy nature of the Prenton Park playing surface were ingredients for a cup upset.

However, a much-changed United team showed the vast gulf in quality between themselves and a side lurching near the foot of the League One table, not looking back after the unlikely source of Harry Maguire put them ahead.

The United captain opened his account for the club in remarkable fashion, rifling into the top corner from 25 yards, before Diogo Dalot, Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones and Anthony Martial all found the net in the first half.

Mason Greenwood’s penalty after second-half substitute Tahith Chong had fallen over Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies’ trailing leg completed the rout in a performance that left Solskjaer impressed.

“When you score two or three goals early on, it’s a comfortable day. I thought the boys enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, the fans enjoyed it, so a good day,” the United manager said.

“This game was one where everyone apart from Man United fans wanted us to lose. It’s been a bit of pressure on them but they’ve enjoyed it.

“It was a difficult pitch but we went about it the right way; just worked hard, played simple but effective and played the right way.”

The only blemish on Sunday afternoon for United came when supporters in the away end appeared to voice their frustration about chief executive Ed Woodward as well as the club’s owners, the Glazer family.

While Solskjaer did not directly address the chants, the former striker did admit that fans could be appeased if United take this form into the rest of their season.

He added: “We’re just going to keep on working and try to get the results right and keep working to move the club forward.

“Supporters are always happier when you win games and when you’re successful. We’ll just keep on working to get results.”

On Maguire’s screamer, Solskjaer added: “It’s some way to open your account. That’s not the way we thought it was going to happen, but finally! It’s good for him, it’s always nice to get the first goal.”