Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opened up on Fred and Daniel James after his side’s Europa League draw with Real Sociedad on Thursday night. It was a drab evening of football under the lights at Old Trafford. However, the Red Devils have now progressed to the round of 16 – with the club due to find out their next opponents today.
United went into the match against Sociedad 4-0 up from the first leg.
Bruno Fernandes scored a sensational brace in Turin, with James and Marcus Rashford also finding the net in a straightforward win.
There was to be no repeat on Thursday, however, with the Red Devils held to a draw by their La Liga opponents.
Axel Tuanzebe came closest to breaking the deadlock, only for the centre-back to have his goal disallowed by VAR after Victor Lindelof committed a dangerous foul in the build-up.
With United cruising through, Fred came off.
THINK YOU KNOW SPORT? Test your sporting knowledge with our tricky quiz
“It gave Amad a chance to have half an hour-ish.”
Solskjaer was happy that United made their way through, though did admit he was disappointed they were unable to find the net over the course of the 90 minutes.
“We wanted to score goals,” said the Norwegian, who is hoping to win his first trophy as United manager this season.
“Our goal can be discussed. It’s a foul against Victor [Lindelof] but I don’t know if it’s actually influenced the actual goal. I don’t know about the ins and outs of that one.
“We’re through and that’s it.
“It’s a good workout for a few of course, so we should be pleased because they’re a good team, a very good team and I think we saw that tonight.
“Normally when you’re 4-0 up it’s hard to get going really. It looked it.
“We needed that wake-up call of their penalty, but after that I felt we took over the first half. The second half was more slower.”
It was a memorable night for United youngster Shola Shoretire.
The 17-year-old became the youngest player to ever represent at the club in a European match after coming on for Mason Greenwood in the closing stages.
Shoretire looked bright but, like his team-mates, couldn’t find the net.
And Solskjaer was impressed by the teenager’s performance, insisting the youngster will ‘make a very good player here’ in the coming years ahead.
“Shola he’s got some skills, attributes that we think are going to make a very good player here and it’s a platform of course tonight – just 15 minutes – it’s something to build on, something for him to remember at Old Trafford,” he said.
“But then again with the fans, he would have enjoyed it more because they give you so much more energy than football at the moment.
“It is strange, it is different but I’m sure all the fans will see him later on.”
