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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rues late Southampton equaliser but says Manchester United ‘didn’t deserve’ three points

Michael Obafemi’s last-gasp goal denied United a crucial victory in the top-four race

Karl Matchett
Monday 13 July 2020 22:48 BST
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Solskjaer hails hat-trick hero Anthony Martial as Manchester United march on

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was disappointed at the nature of conceding a last-minute goal, but felt his Manchester United team “didn’t deserve” to beat Southampton in the Premier League on Monday night.

United had been on a five-game win streak, but an injury-time equaliser from Michael Obafemi gave Southampton a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

Speaking to Sky Sports at full time, Solksjaer felt his team had to learn from the occasion and realise that the highest standards were constantly required to win games at the top level.

“It’s the worst time to concede a goal but it happens in football, you’ve just got to be strong and take it because we’ve won so many games that way ourselves,” he said after the game.

“It’s all part of the learning for this team, to be sat there disappointed after thinking you’ve got the points in the bag, but we probably didn’t deserve the three points today.”

Solskjaer reminded his side that every win needs to be earned and bemoaned a lack of cohesion in the team, compared to recent matches where the front four have operated in unison and scored freely.

“We never got the rhythm in our passing today, especially after 2-1. We created chances, [played] some fantastic football at times. Anthony [Martial] got two massive chances he created for himself.

“We could have had the three points but you’re not going to be given three points, you play teams who are going to show what they can do.”

On the incident which saw Oriol Romeu catch Mason Greenwood late on the calf, but face no action from either the on-pitch referee or Video Assistant, the United boss acknowledged it was a poor challenge—but didn’t want to add to the recent criticism of the officials.

“I know my ankle wouldn’t take that challenge. It’s a nasty one. But we’ve said enough about VAR.”

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