Look at the comment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before Manchester United played Arsenal.
Manchester United extended their winning streak to eight games by beating Arsenal comfortably in the FA Cup at the Emirates on Friday. The hosts put pressure on the Red Devils during the first half an hour of the game, but it was Solskjaer’s men who took the lead on the 31st minute.
Romelu Lukaku’s found the former Gunners forward Alexis Sanchez with an excellent visioned pass. The Chilean International was one-on-one versus Petr Cech who tried to close him down, but Alexis was quick to find his feet and went past him to steer it past the goal line to claim a lead.
Unai Emery’s side were once again caught on the counter-attack when Romelu Lukaku registered his second assist of the game, and Jesse Lingard made it two. However, Arsenal’s talisman Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang pulled one back for the hosts just moments before the half-time.
The Gunners had plenty of chances to equalize the score, but they failed to convert the chances. Solskjaer’s introduction of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial took a hit as soon as they came on.
Paul Pogba’s shot from outside the box was saved by the Arsenal shot-stopper Cech, but Martial was there to tap the ball in from close range to take an unassailable lead. With this victory, they go to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
In the pre-match press conference, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was quick to point out that Alexis Sanchez does have the mental strength to cope up when he takes up the field on Friday. Rightfully so, the 30-year-old had a good effect on the game and registered his name on the scoresheet as well.
The Chilean International spent more than three years at London playing under the former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who decided to leave the English outfit last summer.
“I think Sánchez will love it if the crowd turn against him. If they boo him,” Solskjaer said.
“As a player, pride kicks in and you think, ‘I’ll show all of you.'”
The Norwegian was delighted with the calm nature Alexis Sanchez showed when he put the ball inside the back of the net.
Speak in the post-match press conference, Solskjaer said “It wasn’t like Alexis had an open goal, it was a great finish. Every player, the more confident you get the more you want to get on the pitch and train and work on yourself and you trust yourself.
“He has been injured lately so it was great to see him get 65-70 minutes tonight and he can only improve and I think he knows that himself.”
Manchester United will be shifting their attention towards their top four challenge when they take on Burnley at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
