The Red Devils coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says winning the Europa League would be “massive” and “a big step forward” for his side ahead of their 2nd leg game against LASK.
Manchester United resumes their Europa League campaign when they take a 5-0 lead into the second leg of their last-16 tie with the Austrian side, LASK.
Therefore, Solskjaer believes a first major trophy while in charge could spark a successful era at the club.
“When I won my first trophy as a player, it made me hungrier”. He said.
With the remainder of the Europa League one-legged games after the last-16 stage, United will be two wins from the final in Cologne on 21st August if, as expected, they finish the job against LASK.
“The team has developed through the season and we are delighted at finishing third in the Premier League”. Solskjaer-who is seeking a first major trophy since his appointment as United’s manager added.
“If we can get our hands on a trophy, it’s a big step forward”.
Since 2017, Manchester United has not won a major trophy after beating Ajax in the 2017 Europa League final.
Jesse Lingard to start
It has been a frustrating and hectic season for Lingard who has somehow lost favor in Solskjaer’s eyes. However, the coach on Tuesday confirmed that the midfielder will start in the match against LASK.
“I’ve not had the best of seasons. During the lockdown, I wanted to come back in the best shape possible”. Said Lingard who was limited to nine Premier League appearances in the 2019/20 season.
Because of an injury, Phil Jones will not be involved while fellow defender Axel Tuanzebe and Luke Shaw have not been registered in the squad for the final stages of the competition due to injuries.
Moreover, Solskjaer reported that his players were determined to finish a prolonged season in style.
“They want to play. They don’t want the break. They’re bothering me all the time.” The Norwegian said.
United scored four second-half goals to beat LASK 5-0 in the first leg and Solskjaer admits “it wasn’t a 5-0 difference between the teams.”
“We were winning 2-0 after 60 minutes and scored three in the closing stages. So we know we have to perform. There are opportunities for players to stake a claim if they get through”.