Solskjaer pleased with Man Utd draw and says controversial Rashford opener ‘never a foul’
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER claimed Marcus Rashford’s controversial opener was “never a foul” as he hailed Manchester United’s “very good, very hearty” display in the 1-1 home draw with leaders Liverpool.
Boss Solskjaer insisted injury-hit United are “on the right path” and only conceded sub Adam Lallana’s late leveller through “tiredness”.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was furious over Rashford’s VAR-confirmed goal, claiming Divock Origi had been tripped by Harry Maguire.
And Klopp seemed just as peeved when video replays ruled out Sadio Mane’s swift equaliser for handball.
But Solskjaer instead commended ref Martin Atkinson, especially for allowing Rashford’s “fantastic” team goal.
Norwegian Solskjaer said: “I thought the referee needs praising. It’s not often we do that. He let it be a derby game, it wasn’t like you couldn’t touch anyone.
“It’s never a foul. I don’t think Keano [Roy Keane] would say that’s a foul.”
United’s first-half edge persuaded Klopp to change formation, notably bringing on more attack-minded midfielders Lallana and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain.
‘WE TIRED’
And Solskajer said: “You can say that it’s a bonus we made them look at tactics.
“When you get teams doing something different to what they normally do then you know you have executed your plan.
“But then they still caused us problems second half and we struggled with possession and that was why we were tired.
“You can’t improve every game because we started well against Chelsea.
“But we’re on the right path. We need to improve our away form.”
Of Rashford’s volleyed finish on 36 minutes, Solskjaer added: “It was a fantastic goal.
“We have been asking Daniel James and Marcus Rashford to run and have a lot of energy. I thought it was their best performance of the season.”
But Solskajer suggested United fatigue helped Liverpool level.
He said: “It is a great feeling for a manager to see the players are giving everything they have got but their goal was a moment of tiredness, it was towards the end so naturally we were mentally and physically tired.
‘GAVE EVERYTHING’
“We did not deal with it well, we did not clear the cross, we did not clear our lines. Just before that we had a some great counter attacks so it was a very good, a very hearty performance. We gave everything.”
And Solskjaer is hoping such a committed performance, including individual pluses in Rashford, James and Andreas Pereira, can be a turning point for his 13th-placed side.
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He said: “We do have a belief in these boys and the attitude and desire is there.
“The injured boys are on their way back and the atmosphere here was amazing.
“It was a proper Old Trafford night. We started on the front foot, it’s not always pretty but it’s about getting the results.”