Manchester United manager reveals regret from Europa League final

Manchester United have made a lot of progress since the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager. There is very little doubt about that. The Red Devils had bounced around the Premier League table for years after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement and struggled to finish in the Champions League spots consistently. That has changed since the Norwegian’s arrival.

In Solskjaer’s two full seasons as the Manchester United manager till now, the club have finished third and second in the Premier League table respectively. But one thing that he has not been able to do till now is guide this team to silverware.

Solskjaer is nearing three years as the club’s manager while Manchester United are in the middle of a four-season trophyless streak. And it is safe to say that they will be looking to bring that to an end as soon as possible.

The Red Devils came very close last season, losing the Europa League final against Villarreal on penalties. And it looks like Solskjaer might have one regret from the game.

Solskjaer’s regret from Manchester United’s Europa League final defeat against Villarreal

Solskjaer’s recent comments suggest that he regrets not starting Fred in the Europa League final. As reported by Manchester United’s official website, the manager said:

"“It showed for me when he got injured at the end of last season, and it was supposed to be a six-to-eight-week injury, and he was back the day before the Europa League final, and he was fit.“He fully joined the training session before, we had to strap him up for the game but if I’d have known [the result] before, maybe I would have played him [from the start].“But he would have put his hand up and sacrificed himself for the team, that’s for sure.”"

Fred would only come on as a substitute in extra-time but was not able to have an effect on the result of the final.

He has had his fair share of critics during his time at Manchester United. But it goes without saying that he plays an important role in Solskjaer’s team.

Even in midweek against Atalanta, he put in a brilliant performance and was one of the biggest reasons why the Red Devils were able to come from two goals down to walk out with a 3-2 victory.

The Brazilian midfielder had to be substituted off late in the game though after going down with a problem and is a doubt heading into the game against Liverpool on Sunday.