MX23RW : Monday, November 25 11:31:08| >> :60:282:282:
[monks data]
Manchester United logo
Europa League | Round of 16
Aug 5, 2020 at 8pm UK
Old Trafford
LASK

Man Utd
2 - 1
LASK

Lingard (57'), Martial (88')
McTominay (39')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Wiesinger (55')
Michorl (35')

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 'Manchester United never saw best of Alexis Sanchez'

Alexis Sanchez scored five goals in 45 appearances for United and has spent the season on loan at Inter.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed unmitigated flop Alexis Sanchez's imminent exit to Inter Milan after Manchester United wrapped up their place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

There was much hype and hope when the forward arrived from Arsenal in January 2018, but the 31-year-old has got nowhere near justifying his eye-watering wages.

Sanchez scored five goals in 45 appearances for United and has spent the season on loan at Inter, who he came on for on Wednesday night as they beat Getafe 2-0 in their Europa League last-16 clash.

Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta revealed before the match that they would announce the Chile international's arrival on Thursday – something United boss Solskjaer confirmed after his side beat LASK 2-1 to progress 7-1 on aggregate.

Alexis Sanchez endured a torrid time at Old Trafford
Alexis Sanchez endured a torrid time at Old Trafford (Adam Davy/PA)

"We'll announce it tomorrow, so I can confirm that he's agreed and we've agreed," he said. "Alexis enjoyed his time there. They've liked him so of course that's a good move for him.

"Wish him all the best. He's a top player that we want to see play his best football. For whatever reason, we didn't see the best of Alexis but he's a top professional and we just wish him all the best."

While the Sanchez situation will come to an end on Thursday, United's pursuit of Jadon Sancho shows little sign of being concluded anytime soon.

Asked how difficult the deal will be to sign the England forward from Borussia Dortmund, Solskjaer said: "Well, we're looking into all transfers differently. I'm not going to speak about individuals that are not our players.

"I've got no news, no update. We'll update you if something happens."

Solskjaer was speaking after United easily avoided an unthinkable Europa League exit to LASK.

Five months after winning 5-0 in Austria, substitute Anthony Martial wrapped up a 2-1 comeback victory on a night when Philipp Wiesinger's stunner had put the visitors ahead.

Jesse Lingard quickly cancelled that goal out and admitted afterwards he was frustrated to be taken off as he wanted to add to his two goals in as many games.

Asked if the attacking midfielder has a future beyond this final few weeks of the season, Solskjaer said: "Every player, when you get your chance in a game or even in training, you've got a chance to prove yourself, prove your worth.

Jesse Lingard has scored two in two
Jesse Lingard has scored two in two (Martin Rickett/PA)

"I've known Jesse since he was a little kid and I know there's a good player and a great personality to have around.

"He knows what we want from him and he knows he has to stand by the manager whatever decision he makes. I would be disappointed if he was happy coming off.

"He's growing in confidence. He's worked really hard on his finishing, especially lately, and I'm happy for him to score."

Lingard was among nine changes from the side that won 2-0 at Leicester on the final day of the Premier League season and the rust of those peripheral players was in evidence on Wednesday.

"It was as expected, really, against a team that we knew were aggressive team, were going to press us," Solskjaer said after setting up Monday's quarter-final with Copenhagen in Cologne.

"We found it a little bit hard in the beginning to find a rhythm in our passing and we didn't create chances.

"But we needed game time, some of these players. We needed to win the game, we wanted to win the game and it's job done."

As for LASK, they were far better than the 5-0 loss in March in head coach Dominik Thalhammer's first game in charge.

"I thought we did very well overall and adapted well to the situation here," he said.

"We did what we intended to do, which was have control of the ball and I think we did well at times in putting that into practice."

ID:409236: cacheID:409236:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9087:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United players celebrate Bruno Fernandes's goal against Leicester City in the Premier League on July 26, 2020
Read Next:
Wednesday's Europa League predictions including Manchester United vs. LASK
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!