MX23RW : Tuesday, July 2 17:08:38| >> :120:5828:5828:

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 'Semi-finals not good enough for Manchester United'

Solskjaer: 'Semi-finals not good enough for Man United'
© Reuters
United lost in the semi-finals of both domestic cup competitions this season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stressed that a third semi-final of the season is "not good enough" for Manchester United as his side gears up for Sunday's Europa League showdown with Sevilla.

Having bowed out in the final four of this year's Carabao Cup and FA Cup, the Red Devils are looking to go one better when they return to Stadion Koln to take on the in-form Spaniards.

Sevilla's quarter-final victory against Wolves was more one-sided than the 1-0 scoreline suggests, while United have had an additional day's rest after winning by the same scoreline against FC Copenhagen in extra time.

Solskjaer's first piece of silverware in the hotseat would be a big moment on the back of their third-placed Premier League finish, with the 1999 treble hero underlining the fact that semi-finals appearances are not enough.

"Let's see if we've developed throughout the season because we've had two semi-finals before," the United boss said. "We want to go to the next step.

"Semi-finals, that's a good effort, decent but it's not good enough. It's not good enough for Man United still.

"The team has been developing, getting more and more hungry.

"Let's make sure that hurt that we felt in both the other cups that we've gone out, that can be our maybe marginal difference. The difference that we want it more than them."

Manchester United made a meek FA Cup semi-final exit to Chelsea last month at Wembley
Manchester United made a meek FA Cup semi-final exit to Chelsea last month at Wembley (Alastair Grant/NMC Pool)

Asked if his players can draw on the disappointment of their other semi-final losses, Solskjaer said: "I would think so.

"Well, when I lose a game or if I lose at something, you don't want that feeling again so I would think they're ready for a battle on Sunday, yeah."

United are preparing for the semi-final at the 10,001-capacity Sportpark Hohenberg, which is home of third tier German side Viktoria Koln.

The sweltering August heat means sessions are being held later afternoon rather than midday, with recovery the immediate focus as attention turns to the one-legged semi against Sevilla.

"It's like a European Championships or a World Cup – you don't get a second chance, there is no tomorrow," Solskjaer told MUTV.

"You just know that you have to leave everything on that pitch, which is for me fine.

"It's a different set-up than we're used to. We're used to home and away, but for me this is the best scenario that we can finish this tournament.

"All the teams have played many games anyway. but now it's who is the mentally strongest?

"Who looks at the opponent and he's tired, I feel tired but he's more tired than me.

"You've got to be strong mentally, concentrated, focused and any of these games can be decided, will be decided, on marginal decisions or finishing.

"So, we've just got to keep them focused and with the right attitude."

A number of those in United's squad were part of the side dumped out of the Champions League by Sevilla in March 2018, when a brace from substitute Wissam Ben Yedder sealed a shock 2-1 last-16 win at Old Trafford.

Sevilla knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League in 2018
Sevilla knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League in 2018 (Martin Rickett/PA)

Solskjaer is plotting a own revenge mission of his own, having seen his Europa League dreams extinguished by the Andalusians when managing in his homeland.

"I was the manager of Molde," he said. "We lost against them in 2016 I think it was.

"They beat us 3-0 away, we beat them 1-0 in Molde, so I've got something that I need to sort out with them."

ID:410048: cacheID:410048:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:22568:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui pictured in February 2020
Read Next:
Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui looking forward to Man United clash
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Tuesday, July 2
 
8pm
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!