Solskjaer Replies Van Gaal Over Boring Claims

By Joshua Walters

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has responded to comments made by Louis Van Gaal that Manchester United are still as boring as they were under Jose Mourinho, who was sacked by the club for non-performance last year.

The Manchester United manager told the media that "Louis is entitled to his opinion" when asked for his comments to the claims that were made by the latter in an interview on BBC last week.

Van Gaal beamed with resentment as he analysed Manchester United's performance and results under Solskjaer, and said the Norwegian had changed nothing in the team apart from the winning rate.

Van Gaal handled Manchester United from 2014 to 2016 as a replacement for David Moyes as the Red Devils looked for a perfect fit for Sir Alex Ferguson, who had left the club after 26 years at the helm.

The Dutch trainer led Manchester United to the FA Cup in 2016, but was sacked the same year on the grounds that his playing philosophy was alien to the dominant high pressing and wing play that the club was used to under Sir Ferguson.

Three years down the lane and Mourinho had also been given the sack over a similar reason, and Van Gaal told BBC the club had not been fair in their assessment and treatment of Mourinho and himself since Solskjaer is as defensive as the Portuguese trainer and less entertaining as he was during his time.

Solskjaer appeared cheeky in his response to Van Gaal's claims as he explained that the latter over-generalised his observations.

"Louis is entitled to his opinion," Solskjaer said.

"Some games we've pressed really high, won the ball up there and dominated.

"He is probably talking more about the PSG game, which was a game that we had to defend really well in the circumstances and counter-attack.

"It's about where you win the ball. You want to defend to win the ball to go forward. You have to win the ball to then attack.

"If you can attack as quickly as we did today, then why not? As long as when you win the ball, your intention is to attack.

"The foundation in any team is to play well without the ball. If you can do that, then you've got a great chance.

"I'm very happy and grateful that I have inherited a team that has had a great education.

"Most of the players here have had Mourinho, Van Gaal, Moyes and Fergie. They know both sides of the game.

"Of course, we will have to add one or two, but they know what I will demand and expect from them."

Manchester United's victory over Watford on Saturday recorded Solskjaer's first win as a permanent manager and the 15th victory in 20 games in charge.