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Manchester United manager OIe Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer: United not good enough to match City

The gulf between the two Manchester clubs was there for all to see at Old Trafford and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had no complaints.

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER rued the gulf in class between his Manchester United and Manchester City after their title-chasing rivals closed out a 2-0 win at Old Trafford.

United were abject in a 4-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday and Solskjaer rung the changes for Wednesday’s derby showdown. 

Five alterations to the starting line-up prompted an enterprising performance during a goalless first half but City hit the front through Bernardo Silva’s 54th-minute strike and they comfortably played out victory after substitute Leroy Sane blasted past an errant David de Gea. 

“We got a reaction and in the end we were beaten by a better team,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports.  

But we got a reaction from fans and players and had a go, had efforts – didn’t hit the target too many times but you can see the work rate was there. It wasn’t good enough.

“There is a difference in quality. That is why they are top and we are where we are. They have set the standard. Living in Manchester we cannot be happy with that. It is up to us to close that gap and overtake them. 

“Today you can’t say that any of them didn’t run. You could see clearly an intent and focus. We just need to keep working on it.” 

Visiting captain Vincent Kompany and Oleksandr Zinchenko were booked for first-half fouls that halted United attacks, but Solskjaer sought to row back on pre-match comments over City’s style out of possession that irked Pep Guardiola. 

“I was making a compliment. City want to win it back and by their aggression to win it back there will be fouls,” he said. 

You want a team like this. They keep the ball high and are hungry to win it back. They stopped us very well.” 

De Gea’s part in both City goals — Silva also beat the Spain international at his near post – continued a dismal run for a player usually considered one of United’s most consistent performers.

Ahead of a pivotal clash against Chelsea this weekend, with Arsenal’s loss at Wolves having kept the top-four race wide open, Solskjaer had a message of support for his goalkeeper. 

“David made some terrific saves as well. He has high standards,” he added. 

“When we are having a time like this we’ve just got to stick together, batten the hatches down, don’t do anything rash and keep working.

“We have to come back fighting on Sunday.”

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    Mute Dave Ryan
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    Sep 15th 2022, 7:28 PM

    Anyone know if he was a good pro or not?

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    Mute Nicholas Ryan
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    Sep 15th 2022, 7:01 PM

    Was a good pro

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    Mute Simon Hughes
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    Sep 15th 2022, 7:53 PM

    I hope you guys don’t mind if I add something a bit different to this conversation. If he was one thing, he was a good pro

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    Mute Stephen Foster
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    Sep 15th 2022, 9:30 PM

    @Simon Hughes: he was yea. A great pro.

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    Mute Dave Ryan
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    Sep 15th 2022, 10:06 PM

    @Stephen Foster: “he’s a good pro, not a great pro”

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    Mute Sean Burke
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    Sep 15th 2022, 6:50 PM

    Was a good pro

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    Mute Sean Burke
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    Sep 15th 2022, 6:50 PM

    Was a good pro

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    Mute colm connolly
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    Sep 15th 2022, 7:09 PM

    Was a good pro

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    Mute Johnny Footpaths
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    Sep 15th 2022, 7:17 PM

    Was a good pro

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    Mute Sean Burke
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    Sep 15th 2022, 6:50 PM

    Was a good pro

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    Mute Sean Burke
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    Sep 15th 2022, 6:51 PM

    Was a good pro

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    Mute Enda Layng
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    Sep 15th 2022, 9:13 PM

    A great keeper. Saw him save a penalty from slippy into the Kip , while playing for WBA . Great save and played really well that night. After that,always a legend.

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    Mute Vinnie Cooney
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    Sep 16th 2022, 5:22 AM

    @Enda Layng: Slippy Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!!! So funny and very original

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    Mute John O' Dowd
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    Sep 15th 2022, 7:51 PM

    Was a rubbish pro

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