Advertisement

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer furious with Premier League over Manchester United fixtures ahead of Europa League Final

 (Manchester United via Getty Imag)
(Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at Manchester United’s “impossible” fixture schedule with the Red Devils facing three Premier League games in the space of five days.

United’s League game against Liverpool was meant to be played last Sunday, but was postponed following fan protests at Old Trafford.

With a tight calendar during the run-in, that match has been moved to Thursday, May 13 - and United face more games between now and then against Aston Villa on Sunday and Leicester City on Tuesday.

United reached the Europa League Final on Thursday night despite a 3-2 defeat at AS Roma, with the 6-2 semi-final first-leg victory in Manchester enough to see them through to face Villarreal on May 23.

The Red Devils now face a fixture headache, though neutrals may have little sympathy given their own fans were protesting against the Glazers following unsuccessful attempt to create a breakway European Super League - but Solakjaer made his frustrations clear after full-time.

“It’s unheard of,” he told BT Sport. “It’s made by people who have never played football at this level.

“It’s physically impossible for the players. We have not been dealt a good hand.

“We are going to need everyone for these four games. It’s a short turnaround but we have to be ready.”

He added: “It feels good to be in the final. We played one very, very good half at Old Trafford which has taken us through.

AFP via Getty Images
AFP via Getty Images

“I’m disappointed we lost - especially the way we played in the second half.”

Additional reporting by PA.

Read More

Manchester United reach Europa League Final despite AS Roma defeat

Manchester United vs Liverpool date confirmed with Man Utd facing Premier League fixture pile-up