Manchester United manager clarifies his earlier remarks about Roma after the Italian club’s fans unveiled posters in relation to it
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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted that he meant no disrespect to Roma about comments he had made about them. Solskjaer angered a section of the Italian club’s fans when he reportedly claimed to know nothing about the team after knocking out Granada in the previous round. Hence, a group of Roma supporters unveiled banners outside their training ground about those comments.
Posters have been unveiled near Roma’s training ground, which features an image of Solskjaer along with the quote “I don’t know them and I haven’t seen them play”. It ends with the caption “make sure he remembers us!” On the eve of their Europa League semi-final first leg meeting at Old Trafford against the Italian side, Solskjaer clarified his earlier comments.
“That was straight after the game and with all the games we’ve had I was just relieved we’d gone through,” said Solskjaer. “Of course I’d watched them but hadn’t analysed and hadn’t seen them in-depth to give them enough respect, probably.”
“It’s a fantastic club with a great history. 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 and they’re actually signed, so I know about the history, I know about the quality.”
? Roma fans have put up posters of Solskjær, quoting “I don’t know them and I haven’t seen them play.”
Roma fans feel that Solskjær and #mufc are “dismissing” them as an opponent. [La Roma24 via @Sport_Witness]
The bottom of the poster reads “make sure he remembers us.” pic.twitter.com/dCtLWUzJM9
— UtdDistrict ? (@UtdDistrict) April 27, 2021
Solskjaer also explained how they followed Roma last season when Chris Smalling was playing for them on loan. Ever since the loan deal was made permanent, United have not watched them much, said Ole.
“With Chris Smalling being there last season, we followed them, then they signed Chris and we’ve not watched them as much, but we have analysed them down to the ground since we drew them. We’re ready for them. It was not meant as any disrespect, I think everyone knows that. I’ve got loads of respect for them,” he added.
Manchester United have been unlucky in their quest to win their first title under Solskjaer till now as they kept falling short in the semifinal stage. Even in Europa League last season, the Red Devils lost to Sevilla in the last-four clash.
“You know, when you come to the business end of the season, the main thing is arriving there, being there, being in and around the important games, being in good form and having confidence and belief like we do have now,” said Solskjaer.
“It’s also to have that little bit of luck, but also that quality that’s needed. That would mean so much to the end of the season, if we have a final to look forward to.”
