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Premier League | Gameweek 38
Jul 26, 2020 at 4pm UK
King Power Stadium
Manchester United logo

Leicester
0 - 2
Man Utd


Evans (68')
Evans (90+4')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Fernandes (71' pen.), Lingard (90+8')
Maguire (9'), Lindelof (63'), Matic (83'), Pogba (90'), Williams (90+2')

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer upbeat over Champions League chances ahead of Leicester City clash

Solskjaer upbeat over CL chances ahead of Leicester clash
© Reuters
The Manchester United boss says his team have a "fantastic opportunity" to qualify for the Champions League.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is delighted to be heading into the season finale at top-four rivals Leicester with a "fantastic opportunity" to qualify for the Champions League.

While well short of some of the displays they have put in after the coronavirus suspension, teenage star Mason Greenwood scored as United came from behind to draw 1-1 against West Ham on Wednesday.

Paul Pogba's embarrassing handball allowed Michail Antonio to give David Moyes' visitors a surprise half-time lead, but the 18-year-old's latest strike secured a point which could pivotal in the final shake-up.

Solskjaer's side moved into the top-four for the first time since mid-September thanks to a draw that means United will qualify for the Champions League if they avoid defeat at Leicester on Sunday.

"Well, going into half-time we knew that's not the result we wanted and a draw or a 1-0 win or a 2-0 win was more or less the same outcome for us," Solskjaer said.

"Then we have the same starting point on Sunday.

"You can't expect to go and turn teams over and score three or five like we did to have a different scenario for Sunday.

"When we started after the lockdown, we had to go for it. We really had to go for it – we had to go for goal difference, we had to go for points.

"The effort has been fantastic and the results have been fantastic.

"Of course, you'd like to win against Southampton, you concede in the last second, and here today you concede a penalty in the last second of the first half.

"But we've given ourselves a fantastic opportunity and a great starting point for Sunday."

Greenwood was the key man on Wednesday evening, taking his tally to 17 in all competitions to go level with George Best, Brian Kidd and Wayne Rooney in terms of single season goal tallies for teenage United players.

"He's bailed us out a few times and he's done it again," Solskjaer said.

"He's been absolutely top class ever since we gave him an opportunity.

"I think Cardiff in the last game of last season was his first start and he was our best player in that game and he's grown and grown in confidence and belief.

"He trusts himself that his talent, his qualities, attributes, they actually work at the highest level."

Manchester United v West Ham United – Premier League – Old Trafford
Manchester United's Mason Greenwood, right, got the equaliser (PA)

Greenwood's goal saved Pogba's blushes in particular. The midfielder put his hands in front of his face when blocking a powerful shot from Declan Rice and saw Antonio put away the penalty awarded by the video assistant referee.

"It's a natural reaction," Solskjaer said. "Paul's held his hand up in knowing that he should have taken it in the mush instead.

"But it's a natural reaction if that ball comes flying at you at 100mph. It wouldn't have made a difference anyway."

While Solskjaer's side have a lot riding on the final day, former United manager David Moyes can rest easy.

Manchester United v West Ham United – Premier League – Old Trafford
David Moyes had a satisfying return to Old Trafford (PA)

Already boasting a superior goal difference, the point means that West Ham are guaranteed of another season in the Premier League.

"Before today's game, I think it would have taken a pretty big total for other teams to catch the goal difference and get the points," Moyes said.

"But the maths didn't make it safe and thankfully today the players put in a great job, played really well.

"I think we thoroughly deserved a point today."

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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pictured on July 22, 2020
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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