‘We’ll put it right,’ vows United boss Solskjaer after draw against Southampton

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said Manchester United “will put it right” after conceding a late goal against Southampton on Monday to dent their hopes of reaching next season’s Champions League.

United were on course for a fifth successive Premier League victory after bouncing back from Stuart Armstrong’s early opener through strikes from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

But just as third place beckoned for Solskjaer’s men Saints substitute Michael Obafemi struck in stoppage time to seal a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

“I have to say the mentality of the boys has been brilliant,” said the Norwegian boss. “We’ve had a few setbacks over the season, of course, and this is another challenge for us.

“I am very confident in the mentality of them. Very disappointed, of course, but we have to take the disappointments as well as the positives when you win games.”

“We’ve learned a hard lesson today hopefully, so we’ll make it right, we’ll put it right. I trust the boys in that respect,” he added.

Solskjaer’s side need to quickly dust themselves down, with a trip to Crystal Palace coming up on Thursday before they return to London for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

Left-back Luke Shaw is a doubt for those games after being forced off with an ankle complaint, while United ended the match with 10 men after his replacement Brandon Williams was involved in a clash of heads.

United’s Champions League qualification hopes suffered a blow

as they, unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions, were poised to move up to third after Martial’s early strike had put them ahead.

But on the day that second-placed Manchester City’s two-year ban from European football was overturned on appeal, meaning only the top four will qualify for the Champions League as usual, United’s late lapse left them fifth on 59 points.

Leicester City are fourth, ahead of United on goal difference, with Chelsea third on 60 points. City and title winners Liverpool have already secured Champions League places for next season.

Southampton took a shock lead in the 12th minute when Paul Pogba was robbed by Danny Ings just outside the area and Nathan Redmond’s cross found Armstrong at the back post where the Scottish midfielder slotted home.

Rashford then had the ball in the net, converting a low cross from Luke Shaw, but it was ruled out for offside although the United striker did not have to wait long to level.

Pogba played the ball in to Martial who held off two Saints defenders before poking the ball to Rashford and the striker made no mistake with a left-foot finish in the 20th minute.

Three minutes later United had the lead, Bruno Fernandes fed Martial on the left and the French international cut inside and smashed the ball home.

However, the home side never got a real grip on the game in midfield against a Southampton side that moved the ball well and constantly pressed.

United had to finish the game with 10 men after Brandon Williams went off injured, with manager Solskjaer having no substitute opportunities, and they failed to hold on to the three points when Obafemi turned in a poorly defended corner at the back post.

James Ward-Prowse’s in-swinger was flicked on by Jan Bednarek and Obafemi got in front of Victor Lindelof to find the decisive touch.

“The second half was a bit of a slog, we were not good enough on the ball. We brought pressure on to ourselves but we felt we did enough to win the game,” said United captain Harry Maguire.

“We have improved on defending set plays. We had a terrible record at the start of the season but have been really good on them. Can’t get let him get a header in when we have four men around the goal so have to look at it.

“We are disappointed a the moment but we dust ourselves down tomorrow,” he added.

Agencies