Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his Manchester United side can beat their semi-final jinx this week against rivals City after last four exits in last season’s Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup competitions
- Manchester United take on rivals City in this week’s Carabao Cup semi-final
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were beaten by City at the same stage last season
- But the Red Devils are flying high in the league and sit joint-top with Liverpool
- Solskjaer wants his side to learn from their recent semi-final disappointments
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Manchester United will have learned from their semi-final jinx in order to win their first trophy since 2017.
United face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi at Old Trafford on Wednesday having been dumped out of the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup at the same stage last season.
‘We are happy to be in a semi-final and of course a semi-final is a chance to go to the final,’ said Solskjaer whose side are joint-top of the Premier League after beating Aston Villa 2-1 on Friday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has called for Manchester United to take their league form into the cup
Solskjaer’s side were beaten at the semi-final stage last season to Manchester City last season
‘Last year we were just not capable of going through. I think we’ve improved since then and we are going to give it a go.
‘With regards to the league position, it is a long, long season and I still think we’ve got a lot to learn. Let’s see March, April where we are then.
City boss Pep Guardiola’s only surprise is that it’s taken this long for United to be genuine contenders again.
‘Since I arrived, I expected United to be there all the time. Sometimes it has not always been possible, especially in the Premier League, but if they are there it is because they deserve it.
City went onto win the competition last February but United can get revenge this week
‘I am pretty sure Ole is happier than me. I am not much concerned about United. I am so busy with what we have to do day by day with the players we have.’
City have won the last three League Cups and will equal Liverpool’s all-time record with a fourth triumph. ‘We never drop any competition,’ added Guardiola.
His side would also be challenging at the top of the league if they win their two games in hand. But the City boss, who faces Chelsea today, warns:
‘The best advice I can give is to focus just on the next one. If you think what happens in January and February and the two games in hand, we can lose them.’
United last won the League Cup in 2017 during Jose Mourinho’s first season at Old Trafford
