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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‘Dont do anything rash…’
But Ole he didn’t do anything :-)
10yrs behind on tonight’s performance on and off pitch Woodward is killing the club more worried about apps and twitter than fcuk all else. Ole is not the right manager either, stupid decision to give him the job full time.
@fergusob: bit early to call it on Ole. He did a good job so far with a terrible squad. The recent performances are symbolic of a group that’s released it can’t win anything and can’t fall lower than 6th. If it’s still this way next Christmas you can make a call on Ole. But harsh call to make now. He delivered a lot of wins and the PSG game away.
Can’t believe the amount of people that thought utd would take points off City, it was ridiculous to even think it. City are too strong for everyone.
@Anthony Shoulderhead: not a hope united would beat city ? A pxss poor Everton team whacked them , after they got whacked by a relegated team at Fulham ! The week before , the writing was on the wall Tony .
@Tricksy: I knew it and so did anyone with a grain of sense, unfortunately the pool fans were clutching. Probably looking at Spurs and Utd as potential banana skins on the run in. Utd couldn’t beat eggs at the minute. In fact that’s probably gonna be City’s easiest game out of the last 4 they will play.
@Anthony Shoulderhead: lifelong arab City fan?
I think the players were very relieved mou was sacked , and got a whole new lease of life with ole as intern manager , while never for a minute thinking he would get the job ,hoping for a big name shrewd tactician to be brought in . Many problems need sorting , and leaders on and off the pitch required .