Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Manchester United has improved “dramatically” since their semi-final defeats last season as his team prepares to host Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Round of Four on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports.

United are in good shape, heading to the semi-finals back and forth at Old Trafford, having won eight out of 10 matches in the Premier League.

This round made them tied with leaders Liverpool, and United could advance their match if they draw or beat Burnley next Tuesday before they travel to Anfield on January 17th.

But first, Solskjaer focuses on the immediate task of beating City to reach the April final, and the Norwegian admits that his team is in a self-confident mood and has no “excuses” as he looks to shed the disappointment of the semi-final exit in. The Carabao Cup, the FA Cup and the European League last season.

Wednesday, January 6, 7:00 pm

It starts at 7:45 PM

Solskjaer said, “The next game is always important. Of course the semi-final is a chance to reach the final and get a cup in the next round. For this team it would be a very, very big step, getting the trophy.”

“We have developed a lot in the past six, twelve months, from the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. It’s not just about learning to win the semi-finals, we also got the right to feel like we can go forward.

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“With our performance we are confident, we will play the game in good shape, so there are no excuses.

“You play football to win trophies, although when you win this cup, you move on to the next cup. It gives you hunger to get more. The team is focused, and we are ready to give it a chance. Well prepared for this game.”

In response to a question about what he learned from the three defeats in the semi-finals, he added, “When you get to the semi-finals, you have done a lot of good work to reach the semi-finals. It is natural for you to play against a better and better opponent. I think we have improved a lot even Since then [the Europa League semi-final] in August.

It’s a step closer to the final. It’s easy to say, “Did you know us?” But it’s not about learning, it’s about some good margins in those semi-finals.

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“When you win soccer matches, you don’t think if it is a semi-final, or a league match, or a quarter-final, you just think it’s this match and you want to win it.”

Victor Lindelof is back in fitness again after a back problem, but Edinson Cavani will be out (suspended) alongside absentee Phil Jones for a long time.

Solskjaer said he was “disappointed” not having Cavani who was Banned for three matches He is fined £ 100,000 for a racist offensive term used in his Instagram story, but he hopes his team will be fresh since their victory over Aston Villa on Friday.

“We are disappointed that Edinson wasn’t there,” Solskjaer said [Cavani] involved. He and Phil Jones, long absent, are the only ones unavailable for selection and he’s well positioned to be in them.

“We’ve had four days after Villa, and we’re hoping to have more new legs. It’s a tough season but I think we’ll benefit from the tournaments we’ve done.”

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“You can see that with City against Chelsea, the amount of new legs and the intensity that they played after the break they got. He showed that. This was a good game, physically one of the most intense matches out there this season, I don’t think there is any.” A surprise because they have a few extra days to prepare. “

Solskjaer explains the date of Fletcher

After the united Former player Darren Fletcher has stepped up To the coaching staff of the first team, Solshire explained the thinking behind the cabinet reshuffle after Mark Dempsey took a role at the club’s academy last month.

“[Fletcher] He got the DNA of Man United, and there was an open space because Mark Dempsey had moved to the academy, and we felt he was very valuable there, ”Solskjaer said.

Then came that opening. Darren had been away from the club for a few years, but then he returned with the U-16 team, and with his experience being here in both successful and challenging times, we felt this was the time for Darren to come and give us that input.

“I think it is important that we bring in former players who were elsewhere. I have been in another place after having worked under Mick Phelan, Sir Alex.” [Ferguson] And Carlos [Queiroz]We know one way to train, but they were in different clubs with different ideas. Fletcher laid out his ideas and I think they will improve us in the team. “

Prime: Playing football is a privilege

Solskjaer also said it was a “privilege” that football was able to continue with after this was confirmed Elite sport can continue Behind closed doors during a new national lockdown in England.

“Of course it is a difficult and difficult situation for everyone,” Solskjaer said. “Last year, since March until now, has been a testing time for everyone. We are fortunate to be able to play football under the protocols we are working under, and hopefully we can continue.

“ Mentally for many, it would be a release to watch games now, especially if closed completely again.

“We know we have to work hard to abide by the rules and guidelines, and we’re doing our best to keep the show on the road.”

Gary Neville, Man United match winners

Gary Neville says that “game-changers” at United have pushed the club back into the league, and while consistency remains elusive, confidence is building among Solskjaer’s side.

Two months after a disappointing home defeat to Arsenal, which left them in 15th, United took the lead over Premier League leaders Liverpool on Friday with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.

It was United’s eighth victory in the last 10 league games since that loss to Arsenal and Sky Sports analyst Neville, which led to a remarkable shift in the individual traits of the club’s players.

However, while the team still struggles with their play at times, Neville says “something is growing” in the camp and there is exciting progress being made, with United’s delicious trip to Liverpool on January 17, live. Sky SportsOn the horizon.

“It was a big win for United,” he said. Gary Neville Podcast. “I’m really looking forward to that [Liverpool game]. Not because I think here United can go to Anfield and win, but because United are competing out of nowhere.

“I remember sitting at Old Trafford after the Manchester Derby [goalless draw], He sat down with Roy Kane and Mika Richards, saying that Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham were far ahead of the two Manchester clubs at this point.

“If I had said at the start of the season, or even five weeks ago, that United would be on par with Liverpool, I would have said there was no chance, that couldn’t have happened. That shows how weird this season is.”

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