Manchester United chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thinks winning the Europa League title can be an impetus for his group after they arrived at another semi-finals stage.
Manchester United set up a semi-final confrontation with Roma after Thursday’s 2-0 triumph over Granada at Old Trafford fixed a 4-0 total victory. Solskjaer’s United have arrived at four semi-finals and lost them all – the Red Devils were defeated in last season’s Europa League semis stage, having additionally passed up excursions to the FA Cup and EFL Cup deciders in 2019-20.
Man United together – second in the Premier League standings – likewise tumbled to Manchester City in this present season’s EFL Cup stages, leaving Solskjaer hungry for that last trophy.
Solksjaer said as per Sky Sports): “This season has been difficult with no pre-season. It’s not been possible for us to practice anything really, since the pre-season of 19-20. That’s one thing. I think the next step for the team, of course, is to get to a final, to win a trophy. I think that would give this group of players something extra. The motivation is there. I see it. The determination is there to improve all the time. I’ve seen before a catalyst for a team is often to win a trophy, to get over the line. That’s what we’re aiming to do at the end of the season.”
Not since the 2016-17 season, when they guaranteed the Europa League, EFL Cup, and Community Shield under the previous manager Jose Mourinho, have United won a trophy. The principal leg of the semi-final game against Serie A side Roma will be played at Old Trafford on April 19, trailed by a May 6 date at Stadio Olimpico in the Italian capital.
Since losing their initial two home games in the Europa League in 2011-12, United has not lost any of their last 17 games at Old Trafford in the major competition (W13 D4).
Man United together – who have won three continuous knockout-stage games without yielding a goal in the European rivalry interestingly since 2008 – have kept five clean sheets in six Europa League games since the turn of the year, more than some other side in 2021.
