Hours after Manchester United announced that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has extended his contract with the club, the Norwegian tactician led the club to west London to play a pre-season game against Queens Park Rangers which the club lost woefully.
To the dismay of many, the Championship team humbled Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his boys with a 4-2 bashing which placed a lot of question marks on the solidity of United.
The embarrassing defeat came less than a day after Manchester United signed their long-time target, Jodan Sancho. However, the 4-2 defeat could be excusable since United were not in the game with most of their top players.
All the club’s stars who represented their countries in the just concluded Euro 2020 and Copa America, including Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, and the club’s new signing, Sancho, are yet to resume full training.
Hence, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left with less flamboyant superstars. He had to depend on Mason Greenwood and Jesse Lingard upfront in the friendly game.
Jesse Lingard who just returned from West Ham where he spent the last part of last season on loan, helped Manchester United to score their first goal in the friendly game. But his third-minute effort was canceled by QPR’s Charlie Austin in the 7th minute.
The first half ended 1-1 but QPR returned in the second half to stun the Premier League side. In the 53rd, it became Lydon Dykes’ show as he made it 2-1, Moses Odubajo made it 3-1 for QPR in the 58th minute.
A minute later, Dykes returned with another goal to make it 4-1 in the 59th minute. It took Manchester United 14 minutes before they were able to react. The club’s substitute Anthony Elanga scored United’s consolation goal in the 73rd minute to bring the game to a humiliating 4-2 defeat.
Aside from being a slap on the face of United’s fans, the defeat meant nothing to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who is currently more concerned about trying to convince Paul Pogba to stay at United.
The 28-year-old French midfielder has a season left at Manchester United. Since last summer, the club has been trying to convince Pogba to extend his contract. But it has not been as straightforward as expected.
Speculations claimed that Pogba wanted a five-year contract extension which Manchester United are not willing to give. Hence, the player is reportedly ready to listen to other suitors.
One of the suitors who seemed to be more serious in snatching Pogba away from Manchester United is Paris Saint Germain. Despite how strong the speculation about PSG’s interest in Pogba has been, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the Frenchman is going nowhere.
“The talks are ongoing between Paul’s representatives and the club’s representatives,” Solskjaer said. “All that I’ve ever heard with Paul is he’s looking forward to the season.”
💬 Our captain during the first half of today's game, @NemanjaMatic, shares his post-match reaction.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/rStQIWmacE
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 24, 2021
