Solskjaer admits United missed one player after Liverpool loss

Kolade DanielMay 14, 2021 8:45 amMay 14, 20218:45 am

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Harry Maguire of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford on January 27, 2021 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Tim Keeton -

Man United boss Ole Solskjaer was left lamenting the absence of Harry Maguire following a frustrating night at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that Manchester United missed Harry Maguire during their 4-2 loss to Liverpool on Thursday night.

Liverpool picked up their first win at Old Trafford since 2014 thanks to a Roberto Firmino double and goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah. Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford grabbed what ultimately amounted to nothing more than consolation efforts for the hosts.

Maguire was unavailable for selection for the second successive game due to an ankle injury, and Solskjaer has conceded that the Red Devils suffered in his absence.

The Norwegian boss also called on his players to put the result behind them quickly and raise their game for their final two Premier League fixtures and the Europa League final at the end of the month.

“Harry [Maguire] has been really important for us so of course, we’re going to miss him but he’s out so we have to deal with that,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports.

🗣"We have to deal with that."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer answers whether Harry Maguire is a huge miss for Manchester United pic.twitter.com/K9bCP7PXAJ
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 13, 2021

“It’s about regrouping and building our own confidence again as we have two games and a final.

“Tuesday. We need to find ourselves straight away. We need to build that momentum and confidence. We should go into that final ready.”

Solskjaer refused to offer any excuses for the defeat, but did lament his team’s lack of killer instinct when on top of proceedings in the first half.

“They deserved the win. We conceded goals in key moments of the game,” the United boss added. “We didn’t build on the momentum or break up their momentum. We gave them at least two goals. Key moments went against us.

“We didn’t build on the good times. We should have gone more for it at the start of the game. Sometimes we let them off the hook and let them play out.”

It remains to be seen when Maguire will return to action but he might be rushed to play United’s final Premier League game as well as the Europa League final.