MX23RW : Sunday, March 1 23:45:53| >> :600:2894927:2894927:

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Man Utd need "perfect performance" against Man City

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Man Utd need
© Reuters
United head to the Etihad Stadium 3-1 down after the first leg of the semi-final.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United need to harness the spirit shown against Paris St Germain and put in a "perfect performance" if they are to navigate their way past Manchester City and reach the Carabao Cup final.

United face an uphill battle in their attempts to reach March's Wembley showpiece after a chastening 3-1 home loss in the semi-final first leg against Pep Guardiola's men three weeks ago.

Marcus Rashford's goal in that Old Trafford encounter gives United a glimmer of hope heading to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, but Solskjaer is under no illusions about the task that awaits them.

Despite that, the Norwegian believes last year's stunning comeback success against PSG – United won 3-1 in Paris to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals, having lost 2-0 in the home leg – can act as inspiration, along with December's impressive 2-1 triumph at City.

"We've done it against good teams before, and of course, the game in December gives us hope we can do something there." #MUFC #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/osEwbxDVVt

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 28, 2020

"Well, it looked like it was over at half-time," Solskjaer said, reflecting on the first leg. "I have to say the second part of that first half, they outplayed us for a while and it's hard.

"But then when we got the goal, of course you're back in it, we hope for another one.

"But now we've got to go into the memory bank and think PSG because we've done it against good teams before and it gives us some hope, and the game in December of course gives us hope that we can do something there.

"It has to be a perfect performance to win with two goals against such a good team away from home, so for us it's not about away goals, we just need to score two more than them.

"When they happen and how it happens, if we concede two we need to score four, so it would be good not to concede first because that makes it less difficult."

Key men Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay and Rashford will be absent at the Etihad Stadium, where Nemanja Matic is a doubt after picking up a knock in Sunday's 6-0 shellacking of Tranmere in the FA Cup fourth round.

That was the only mention of that match in the pre-City preview press conference, where there was plenty of transfer talk.

Portugal v Switzerland – Nations League – Semi Final – Estadio do Dragao
United are monitoring Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes (Mike Egerton/PA)

The PA news agency understands Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes remains a target, while a number of enquiries have been made as United look at possible attacking options.

"I haven't got any updates for you on transfers," Solskjaer said with a laugh. "I think it was a waste (of a question) – I gave you the option (not to ask it)!

"I haven't got anything to say now. My mind is just on the game."

Alexis Sanchez would have been a welcome option at this point, despite his struggles since his high-profile switch from Arsenal in January 2018.

SOCCER Blackburn
Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra proved two of United's better January signings in 2006 (Nick Potts/PA)

And despite not including a recall clause in his season-long loan deal to Inter Milan, Solskjaer expects him to have an Old Trafford future when he returns in the summer.

"We've got players here we're working hard to get back as well and if there is something out there, then the club are pursuing that and looking at it," the United boss said.

"Of course it is a difficult window. It always has been. I can't remember how many good ones we've brought in, good deals that we've brought in in January.

"Henrik (Larsson) was good, Nemanja (Vidic) and Patrice (Evra) were two good ones."

Leicester City v Manchester United – Premier League – King Power Stadium
Solskjaer reckons Alexis Sanchez will return to Old Trafford with a point to prove (Mike Egerton/PA)

When Sanchez was mentioned, Solskjaer said: "It's very hard because the clubs don't want to lose their best players. Alexis will come back in the summer and prove youse all wrong."

There continues to be talk about possible outgoings, with Marcos Rojo linked to former club Estudiantes having not played for two and a half months.

Asked if the Argentina defender could leave, Solskjaer said: "I wouldn't think so. Marcos has been injured and has been working to get back and get fit again. At the moment it doesn't look like it, no."

body check tags ::

Click here for more stories about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
New Instagram promo
Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero embrace on January 12, 2020
Read Next:
Combined XI: Man City vs. Man United
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
EFL Cup
Premier League
Scottish Cup
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
League One
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Danish Superliga
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Major League Soccer
Argentine Primera Division
Liga MX
Australian A-League
Premier League 2 - Div 2
Gallagher Premiership
Super League
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

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!