Tag: Manchester United

Manchester United will face Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals on Sunday, after the Spanish club defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers in their quarter-final on Tuesday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men booked a place in the last four by recording a 1-0 win over FC Copenhagen thanks to a confident Bruno Fernandes penalty that was scored in extra-time.

We now know the reward for that victory is an exciting meeting with a Sevilla side that earned a slender but dominant 1-0 win over Wolves at the MSV Arena in Duisburg.

Wolves made a decent start to the quarter-final by earning an early penalty, but striker Raul Jiminez saw his effort saved by the goalkeeper and the Spanish club controlled the game from there on.

Sevilla enjoyed 75 per cent of the possession and tallied 17 shots at goal, but their winning goal did not arrive until Lucas Ocampos headed home in the 88th minute.

Elsewher, Shakhtar Donetsk cruised to a comfortable 4-1 win over Basel to set up a semi-final against Internazionale, which will take place on Monday night at the Dusseldorf Arena.

Juventus are reportedly prepared to offer Federico Bernardeschi in a swap deal for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.

The defender has spent the last year in Italy on loan at Roma where he impressed but is poised to return to Old Trafford.

Roma want to keep the 30-year-old on a permanent basis but have been unable to agree a fee with United which could open the door for Juventus.

Italian sources claim the Old Lady will try to lower United’s asking price by offering Bernardeschi in a part-exchange deal.

The 26-year-old has made 37 appearances in all competitions under Maurizio Sarri this season, helping Juve to another Serie A title

United are looking to bolster their forward line in the transfer window but are prioritising the signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.

Should they fail to land him then Bernardeschi may be seen as a credible alternative as it would also allow Mason Greenwood to continue his development.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is unlikely to welcome Smalling back into the United fold next season, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof the first choice centre-backs currently.

The defender could further bolster one of Europe’s toughest defences should he be tempted by a move to Turin.

Smalling has received rave reviews from Roma boss Paulo Fonseca who claims the defender wants to remain in Italy.

“I will do everything I can to keep him at Roma next year too,” he said back in May. “I know he wants to stay, let’s see what happens.

“He’s an amazing man, so humble, so professional. He is adored by the fans and established himself as one of the leaders in the dressing room.

“It’s not easy for English central defenders to adapt so quickly to Italian football, the record there isn’t good. But he has been amazing.”

Roma finished their season fifth in Serie A, meaning they have qualified for next season’s Europa League once more.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says his Manchester United players are not divers and “none of them try to con the referee at all”.

Before Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final Chelsea boss Frank Lampard suggested that United have “got a few decisions in their favour” in recent weeks.

Solskjaer said: “I’ll defend my players 100%.

“Some ankles could have been broken this season. I just want them to be protected.”

United are unbeaten in 19 games in all competitions and opponents have been angered by some recent decisions.

In midweek Crystal Palace were furious that they were denied a penalty when Wilfried Zaha tangled with Victor Lindelof, and then had a potential equaliser from Jordan Ayew ruled out by VAR for a very marginal offside.

And Bruno Fernandes won a penalty at Villa Park earlier this month which Villa boss Dean Smith called a “disgraceful decision”.

Referring to that decision, Lampard said this week: “Fernandes is very clever in his movement. We saw that at Aston Villa to make something feel like a penalty where maybe it even isn’t.

“As a player we can talk about VAR decisions and whether they’re right or wrong. But if a player is going to dangle a leg and not move their feet then you obviously do leave yourself open to penalties, VAR or no VAR.’

Solskjaer, speaking before his side meet Chelsea at Wembley, said: “If you’ve got quick feet like Dan James, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood you’ll get tackled outside and inside the box,” said Solskjaer.

“We’ve earned our right to any decision this season. We’ve had decisions overturned from being against us to being for us which means the initial decision was against us.

“It’s up to the referee but there’s too many people talking and trying to influence people, I don’t want to. VAR is there to help get more correct decisions.

“I’ve always said a factual decision is a fact so 1cm or 1m offside you’re offside that’s just how it is in football now.”

United are aiming to win the FA Cup for a record-equalling 13th time this season and Solskjaer – who won the trophy twice as a player for the club – knows the importance of adding more silverware to the Old Trafford cabinets.

“When you are at United, yes, you need to win trophies,” he said.

“That’s what we’ve done in our history, and we want to win trophies playing the right way.