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What Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told his Man Utd squad after sealing Champions League spot


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had a warning for his Manchester United squad (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was quick to quash any exuberant celebrations after his side sealed a place in the Champions League on the final day of the Premier League season.

United finished in third spot thanks to a scintillating 14-match unbeaten run that was extended on the final day with a 2-0 win against Leicester City.

Leicester had a 14-point lead on United just 12 matches ago but the arrival of Bruno Fernandes and a downturn in the Foxes’ form helped Solskjaer’s side to overturn the deficit.

A top-four finish was considered a minimum requirement at the start of the season but the nature of the recovery in recent months saw scenes of jubilation from the United squad as they entered the dressing room after the final whistle.

While Solskjaer praised his squad for their efforts and told them they were deserving of a top-four spot, he was quick to tell his players that this must be the starting point of their improvement and that they must ‘demand’ better for themselves.

Solskjaer was delighted to finish in the top four but knows there are bigger challenges ahead (Picture: Getty)

Solskjaer is wary that his young side have little experience of ‘high pressure’ matches and he told his squad that they need to get used to playing in such circumstances if they’re to take the next step.

The Norwegian warned in post-match press conference that he will not be able to rotate as much next term as the Champions League does not afford him the opportunity to rest his best players in the way that the Europa League does.

That ‘next step’ is bridging the gap to rivals Manchester City and Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side finished 33 points above United, while City held a considerable 15-point gap.

Solskjaer believes significant strides have been made this calendar year but he was concerned by the manner of his side’s defeat against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final.

While fatigue was undoubtedly an issue after Chelsea were given an extra 48 hours rest on United, Solskjaer felt Frank Lampard’s side ‘managed’ the occasion better.

Part of that is due to the fact that United’s squad depth is insufficient. Recent results – namely the draws against Southampton and West Ham – have reaffirmed Solskjaer’s belief that the club must strengthen this summer, even in areas of the squad in which many feel they are already strong.

Jadon Sancho is United’s priority and the club remain confident that a deal can be struck, despite Dortmund’s public warnings.

The Bundesliga giants are seeking upwards of £100m for the England winger but United value him at closer to £75m, though they’d be willing to place extra add-ons into the deal to push it nearer to Dortmund’s asking price.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish is another leading target but the arrival of Bruno Fernandes and the return of Paul Pogba has put United in a better negotiating position.

MORE: Bruno Fernandes defends Jesse Lingard from critics after Manchester United midfielder’s goal against Leicester





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