MX23RW : Friday, November 8 13:51:28| >> :120:3694:3694:

Victor Lindelof predicting "great things" for Manchester United in Europa League

Bruno Fernandes' extra-time penalty saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team scrape past FC Copenhagen in Cologne on Monday evening.

Victor Lindelof is confident Manchester United can achieve "great things" in Germany after edging past FC Copenhagen to reach the Europa League semi-finals.

A year on from kicking off a strange, energy-sapping 2019/20 season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men required extra time to overcome the Danish Superliga runners-up on a sweltering night in Cologne.

Bruno Fernandes' spot-kick was enough to secure a 1-0 win and progress to the semi-finals of the Europa League mini-tournament, with Premier League rivals Wolves or Spanish side Sevilla lying in wait back at Stadion Koln on Sunday.

United centre-back Lindelof told the PA news agency: "It was a tough game but we came through in the end and we're happy for that.

"I mean, we knew what kind of team they were and I think they made it difficult for us, even if we didn't play at our level.

"I think we could have done a lot of things better but when we had the ball they made it difficult for us.

"Sometimes they pressed high and when they didn't they dropped deep and defended compact as a unit.

"It was hard to create some chances there but I think we should have scored a few more goals."

Bruno Fernandes' penalty was the difference in Cologne
Bruno Fernandes' penalty was the difference in Cologne (PA Wire via DPA)

Asked why they were below par, Lindelof said: "It's very difficult to say just why. It happens sometimes football.

"Of course it's been a long season but we played a quarter-final in a European cup so I think everyone had to be ready for that.

"Like I said, it happens sometimes in football that you don't perform at the level you want to.

"But the important thing is that we won and we're through to the semi-finals."

United saw a penalty overturned, two goals disallowed and a variety of efforts come back off the woodwork during a goalless 90 minutes, before Fernandes scored what proved to be a decisive extra-time penalty.

But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side will know how much they need to improve if they are to progress past Wolves or Sevilla and reach the Europa League final.

"I think we have a lot of confidence in the team right now," Sweden international Lindelof said. "We've been performing on a very high level, especially after the league ended.

"We got the third spot and we've been some performing some really, really good football.

View this post on Instagram

Semi Finals 👍🏾 #AM9

A post shared by Anthony Martial (@martial_9) on

"I think everybody has a lot of confidence and we know we can do some great things.

"Obviously even if we play against Sevilla or Wolves, they are two tough teams but we're going to be ready and hopefully we can go out and perform a really, really good game."

The Europa League offers the opportunity to cap a promising campaign with Solskjaer's first silverware in the Old Trafford hot seat.

And with United having bowed out at the semi-final stage of this season's Carabao Cup and FA Cup, Lindelof is hoping third time's a charm.

"It's always been our goal to win this competition and we want to go through to the final," said the centre-back, who was introduced as a second-half substitute on Monday evening.

"We've been playing a few semi-finals this season and hopefully we can win the next game and get through to the final. That has always been our goal.

"(The other semi-finals) are completely different games but obviously we need to be ready because we know we're going to play against Wolves or Sevilla, who are very good teams.

"We have to be ready from the start and be on our toes to perform."

United's focus is on rest, recovery and preparation in Cologne, where coronavirus precautions mean they have to stay locked down in a bubble.

"I think it's going to be fine," Lindelof said before being whisked back to the team hotel.

"I think all the players have been playing tournaments. I've been away playing the World Cup, the Euros and everything.

"Even if we're not able to leave the hotel at the moment, we have things to do there so I think it will be fine. No problem at all."

ID:409925: cacheID:409925:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:29891:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo pictured on August 10, 2020
Read Next:
Tuesday's Europa League predictions including Wolves vs. Sevilla
>
Read more about Victor Lindelof Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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!