Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Wednesday
tried to placate angry fans of Europa League semi-final opponents Roma, who
have accused the
Manchester United boss of disrespecting their club.
اضافة اعلان
Comments made by Solskjaer after the
quarter-final triumph against Granada have angered some Giallorossi supporters,
who have put up posters of the Norwegian near the Serie A club’s training
ground alongside the quote: “I don’t know them and I haven’t seen them play”.
The fans have added the caption
“Make sure he remembers us!”
Solskjaer, who is seeking to win his
first trophy as United boss, told his pre-match press conference that the
remark should be put in context.
“That was straight after the game
and with all the games we’ve had I was just relieved that we’d gone through,”
he said.
“Of course I’ve watched them but I
hadn’t analysed and hadn’t seen them in depth to give them enough respect
probably with analysis.
“I could’ve said, which I truly
mean, ‘it’s a fantastic club with a great history’.”
Solskjaer said he even owned two
treasured shirts worn by Roma greats.
“I’ve actually got two prized
possessions back home — a (Francesco) Totti shirt and a (Daniele) De Rossi
shirt that I’ve swapped with them, actually signed,” he said.
“I know about the history, I know
about the quality.”
“It was not meant as any disrespect
and I think everyone knows that. I’ve got loads of respect for them,” he added.
Solskjaer said forward Marcus
Rashford should be fully fit for Thursday’s first leg at Old Trafford.
United suffered semi-final
heartbreak three times last season — in the League Cup, FA Cup and Europa
League — and again this term in the
League Cup.
“It will be a dream come true the
day I can lift a trophy for this club as a manager, of course,” said
Solskjaer,
who won multiple trophies as a player at Old Trafford.
“That’s what we’re building for.
We’ve been close, we’re building step by step.... But for this team and myself,
our ambition this season is to finish with lifting a trophy and being able to
celebrate.”
.jpg)
.jpg)
