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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Manchester United can overturn Barcelona deficit


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backs Manchester United to overturn a 1-0 deficit in Barcelona to progress to the Champions League semi-finals.

United were undone in the first leg by an early Luke Shaw own goal, with the defender having deemed deflecting the ball into his net from a Suarez header.

That goal itself carried an element of controversy, with Suarez celebrating before an offside flag was raised.

But VAR again intervened – this time correctly granting the goal as replays showed the former Liverpool forward well onside.

Solskjaer, though, feels the Red Devils could yet cause an upset as they did in Paris to knock out Paris Saint-Germain.

The 46-year-old told media after the game: “Of course we are playing against a great team, it is a tough one. But we have done that before.

“We will go there with the knowledge that we can score over there.

READ MORE: Manchester United downed by early own goal

“It was at times, we felt, like a proper Manchester United team. The crowd was behind us, we got wide, we got crosses into the box. Sometimes those crosses end up with a header on goal and sometimes you miss them.”

United found themselves trailing as early as the 12th minute when Lionel Messi’s nonchalant ball to the far post found his team-mate with relative ease.

It was Suarez’s header back across goal which Shaw was deemed to have directed into his own net, which also granted Barcelona an away goal.

And the Red Devils icon blamed early nerves for the defensive errors.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Old Trafford on April 10, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Old Trafford on April 10, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

The former Norway international added: “We were [anxious]. We didn’t start great. It was great movement by Messi and Suarez and they were a little fortunate. That’s a blow.

“But we settled well and you could see that after they scored we gathered together and made sure we stated together. We’re still in this tie.”

“I thought we started sloppy and a bit nervous on the ball. We didn’t really get any pressure on them.

“After their goal we settled a bit and I thought we played well. We had some very good performances from individuals in midfield – they did really well.”

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