Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants Man Utd players to be respected after Atalanta comeback
By Sean Walsh
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has urged for people to respect his Manchester United players after they dug deep to complete a stunning Champions League comeback at home to Atalanta on Wednesday.
Goals from Mario Pasalic and Merih Demiral put the Serie A side two up at half time, before second half strikes from Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo won the game for United.
Though United went into the break behind, Solskjaer was adamant that they were playing well, but needed to be stronger at the back.
"I thought we played well first half, we just...[we conceded] two chances, two goals. That has to stop if we're to survive past 50!" Solskjaer told BT Sport.
"We've got a habit of doing this [coming back] at this club. I thought we played well, then out of nothing they score the first goal and then another set play. But they [the players] never stopped believing. They kept on going, made a few mistakes, but we kept going."
When it was suggested to Solskjaer that the players looked like they were playing for him because of the emotion in the comeback, he replied: "Don't even start! Don't disrespect the players, they play for Man Utd.
"They know they're the luckiest men in the world, I said that to them tonight because the XI, plus the subs, they're the ones who can play for Man Utd. That's what so many millions of boys and girls want to do."
Solskjaer also leapt to the defence of Ronaldo after he was criticised recently for not putting in the hard yards up top, adding: "If anyone wants to criticise [Ronaldo] for work rate or attitude, just watch this game. Watch how he runs around."
Though there were some jeers towards the end of the first half, the Old Trafford crowd stuck behind the team and helped will them on to victory, with Solskjaer praising the supporters' efforts.
"They are a big part of this club. The singing section here kept the players going. That is what you do at Man Utd on a Champions League night. This corner here, they're the best in the world," he said.