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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defends Jurgen Klopp's FA Cup replay stance

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defends Jurgen Klopp's FA Cup replay stance
© Reuters
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was a part of the Manchester United side that pulled out of the 2000 FA Cup to play in the FIFA World Club Cup.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can understand Jurgen Klopp's frustration over FA Cup replays eating into the winter break – and still regrets Manchester United pulling out of the competition 20 years ago.

Klopp says he will not field any senior players when the Reds host Shrewsbury in a fourth-round replay next month that the manager does not even plan to attend.

Those comments after the 2-2 draw on Sunday have led to widespread debate and raised fresh questions over the competition's format and standing.

Jurgen Klopp's side could not beat League One Shrewsbury despite leading 2-0
Jurgen Klopp's side could not beat League One Shrewsbury despite leading 2-0 (Nick Potts/PA)

Solskjaer, who oversaw a 6-0 win at Tranmere, understands Klopp's annoyance and has been involved in his own FA Cup controversy, having been part of the United squad that pulled out of the tournament in 2000 to play in the FIFA World Club Cup.

"I think we all regret maybe not going for it in 2000, when we went to the World Club tournament in Brazil and it's never nice not to be participating," the United boss said.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played at the World Cup Cup in 2000 that saw Manchester United pull out of the FA Cup
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played at the World Cup Cup in 2000 that saw Manchester United pull out of the FA Cup (Phil Noble/PA)

"It's supposed to be a break and if we're going to help the English clubs, they need a break.

"But that's up to Jurgen and Liverpool to make decisions. Jose (Mourinho) and Tottenham, they've got a replay.

"We're just happy we didn't get a replay ourselves because it was playing on our mind, 'what's going to happen if? 'Maybe three days' less holiday."

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool28261164204479
2Manchester CityMan City27183668293957
3Leicester CityLeicester28155854282650
4Chelsea2813694739845
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd28119842301242
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28101264134742
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs28117104639740
8Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd27101072925440
9Burnley28115123339-638
10Arsenal2781363936337
11Everton28107113742-537
12Crystal Palace2899102532-736
13Southampton28104143551-1634
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2888122441-1732
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28610123240-828
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2876153549-1427
17Watford2869132743-1627
18Bournemouth2876152845-1727
19Aston Villa2774163452-1825
20Norwich CityNorwich2856172551-2621

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