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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 'No more slip-ups for Manchester United in top-four race'

Solskjaer: 'No more slip-ups in top-four race'
© Reuters
Chris Smalling's own goal condemned United to a second defeat at Wolves this season.

Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted Manchester United have no room for error in their top-four quest after conceding they blew it at Wolves.

Chris Smalling's own goal condemned 10-man United to a 2-1 defeat – their third in four games – as they missed the chance to climb back into the Champions League spots.

Scott McTominay's first United goal put the visitors ahead but Fred's mistake allowed Diogo Jota to level in the first half and Ashley Young was sent off mid-way through the second half for two bookings in five minutes.

United remain fifth in the Premier League, behind Tottenham on goal difference, with six games left and face Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final first leg next week.

Chris Smalling's own goal settled the game
Chris Smalling's own goal settled the game (Nick Potts/PA)

Solskjaer said: "I said we needed 15 points from the last seven games (to make the top four), we now need 15 in the last six, so we don't have room for many more losses.

"We are a very good team, so it'll be difficult for anyone playing against us. Our performance deserved the win.

Man Utd remaining league games

  • West Ham (h)
  • Everton (a)
  • Man City (h)
  • Chelsea (h)
  • Huddersfield (a)
  • Cardiff (h)

"We created our own downfall. It was a very good performance until they scored their second goal.

"But for their keeper we should have won. We created enough chances to win the game so I don't think there's any 'resetting' (after his fast start as United manager)."

Defeat came just over two weeks after United lost 2-1 in the FA Cup quarter-final at Molineux.

Scott McTominay scores his first goal for Manchester United
Scott McTominay scores his first goal for Manchester United (Nick Potts/PA)

Ander Herrera, who has been linked with a move away from the club, was injured while Marcus Rashford was sidelined with an ankle problem.

United, though, should have been 3-0 up inside 16 minutes as Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard missed glorious chances either side of McTominay scoring his first goal for the club.

Jota levelled after 25 minutes after Joao Moutinho robbed Fred following David De Gea's short pass and it got worse for United when Young saw red after 57 minutes for his second foul on Jota – referee Mike Dean's 100th Premier League dismissal.

Mike Dean shows his 100th red card in the Premier League
Mike Dean shows his 100th red card in the Premier League (PA Wire/PA)

Solskjaer added: "When you're on a yellow you're always in danger if you go down, it's a yellow card. It was probably a bad decision (from Young)."

Smalling put into his own net from close range with 13 minutes left to win it for Wolves, who sit seventh in the league ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Watford.

Boss Nuno Espirito Santo picked his strongest side despite their Wembley trip and insisted he did not consider resting players.

He said: "No, there's no such thing. There was the game, there was a game plan, we take the decisions and the options and we prepare for the next one.

"The preparation for the next game starts tomorrow.

"Two very good results against such a good team requires a lot and the boys worked very well.

"I'm pleased with the performance, that's what is important. To do it twice makes the effort worthwhile. It's not easy to play against Man United."


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Manchester United's Ashley Young receives a second yellow card against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on April 2, 2019.
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Ashley Young becomes Mike Dean's 100th Premier League sending-off
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool33257175205582
2Manchester CityMan City32262483216280
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs322111060342664
4Arsenal31196665392663
5Chelsea32196755342163
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd32187761431861
7Leicester CityLeicester33145144644247
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32138114039147
9Watford32137124747046
10Everton32127134542343
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham32126144148-742
12Crystal Palace33116163943-439
13Bournemouth33115174461-1738
14Burnley33106174060-2036
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3398163143-1235
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3196163246-1433
17Southampton3289153653-1733
18Cardiff CityCardiff3284202861-3328
RFulham3345243076-4617
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3335251963-4414

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