Solskjaer: First half the worst Man Utd have played

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt Manchester United’s first half against Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Tuesday was the worst they have played this season.

City dominated the first leg of the semi-final at Old Trafford, where Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez scored before Andreas Pereira’s own goal.

Marcus Rashford struck in the second half for United, to give them a glimmer of hope heading to the Etihad Stadium on January 29 despite the 3-1 loss.

Solskjaer was unhappy with the way his side started, lamenting their first half – particularly after Silva’s fine 17th-minute opener.

“From their goal until half-time it’s the worst we’ve played,” he told a news conference.

“Before then, it could’ve gone either way, a goal, but that doesn’t matter now.

“We’ve just got to focus on Saturday, Norwich [City]. After that second half we’ve got something that we can believe in.”

Ole’s thoughts on tonight’s game.#MUFC #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/7IePKegHLC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 7, 2020

Solskjaer said his message to his players was clear after they trailed 3-0 at half-time and looked in danger of being thrashed.

“Pride is one word that you speak about at half-time,” he said.

“Make sure you win the second half and you’re in the tie and of course it’s a difficult task that we’ve got in front of us.

“But that second half at least gave us something to hang onto.”