Solskjaer Describes Man United

By Max Wise

Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has described his side’s elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday as ‘a big step backwards’.

Wolves run out 2-1 winners at Molineux to book a place in the FA Cup semi-finals as second-half goals from Raul Jimenez and Diego Jota rendered Marcus Rashford’s stoppage time effort a mere consolation.

Manchester United have now lost back-to-back games for the first time under Solskjaer’s tenure, but the manner of Saturday’s defeat particularly, has left the Norwegian unimpressed.

"This was the poorest we've played," Solskjaer told BBC Sport.

"We started too slowly and played into their hands. Our possession wasn't bright enough and quick enough, so it's disappointing."

"I didn't think we had enough quality in the last third, enough combination play," added Solskjaer.

"We had decent dominance with the ball in the first half but that doesn't help if you give the ball away and they can counter.

"This was a big step backwards, mainly because of the quality of the possession and the passing.

"We've had a great run and now we've had two defeats. Against Arsenal we just couldn't score, and this was poor."

Manchester United will now turn their attention towards securing a place in the Premier League top four as they currently lie in fifth place, two points behind Arsenal in fourth.

The Red Devils’ most realistic chance of securing silverware this season is now in the UEFA Champions League where they have a date with Spanish champions Barcelona in the quarterfinals after the international break.