England: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær hits back at his critics after leading the Red Devils back into the Champions League, saying their gloomy forecasts had driven him on.
Manchester United sealed their spots in the UEFA Champions League next season after defeating Leicester City on Sunday that kept them in the top four on the final day of the 2019/20 English Premier League campaign.
In a direct battle for a UEFA Champions League spot at King Power Stadium on Sunday, Bruno Fernandes's penalty and Jesse Lingard's stoppage-time strike were enough for United to secure a 2-0 victory over Leicester City, meaning the Red Devils finish a place above fourth-placed Chelsea on goal difference.
Securing the third position was no less than an achievement for United as at the end of January they lagged six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, while on 30 January, they were 14 points off Leicester in third.
But, the Red Devils turned the tables around after coronavirus break and went 14 games unbeaten in Premier League to finish third.
Meanwhile, after fighting against all the odds, Solskjaer took a swipe at his critics.
“It didn’t seem like you [the media] were expecting this – all the predictions were sixth or seventh,” Solskjær said.
“That’s all right. If I’m getting criticised that makes me stronger and makes me believe more in what I’m doing. Please don’t praise me too much because you can become complacent. That’s just the way I’m made.
“I was reading through them [the predictions] and some of the staff were discussing them. To finish third with this team and this squad, and where we have been with this rebuild, has been a massive achievement by everyone. We’ve come so far as a team, we’re building a culture. To win this game was massive mentally after losing two semi-finals this season [in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup],” he added.
Solskjær was asked whether United’s progress under him proved he was the right man to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City. “It’s a massive challenge,” he said. “I believe in what I do and what I’ve been doing. We all have different ideas of management. I do it my way. I’m not going to say I’m not the man because I am in the job.”
