'PUNCH DRUNK'
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tells Man Utd flops to follow Tyson Fury’s lead when they get knocked down after Liverpool mauling
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says Manchester United need to take a leaf out of boxing champ Tyson Fury’s book when they get knocked down.
Fury was floored twice by Deontay Wilder before composing himself to come back and claim victory in their heavyweight trilogy clash.
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It was something United were unable to do as they were hit with some hefty early blows against Liverpool last Sunday before going on to be floored 5-0.
And Solskjaer said: “Of course, you have to hold hands up and that performance is not acceptable, and we have to look at why it was not acceptable.
“I use the analogy that it felt like we were a boxer being punch drunk, knocked down in the first four mins or first round.
“We had a chance, we conceded a goal, we wanted to sort it out, and went a bit too open and too frantic against a good team.
“You see Tyson Fury when he gets knocked down a few times, it's remarkable how composed he is and takes a count of five,six seven, he gets up and goes again.
“We got up too early and tried to sort it. Minds have to be better but we've had to look at different things as well, the communication has to be direct.”
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Solskjaer remains on the ropes having taken just one point from his last four Premier League games with a trip to Tottenham for the 5.30pm Saturday kick-off.
After that it is a tough away trip in the Champions League to Atalanta followed by the Manchester derby.
But he says he has been in the 'trenches' with his players this week having taken some heavy flak and is ready to come out fighting.
Solskjaer said: “When you come in for criticism like you do you come into the trenches with your teammates, that's the reaction, whatever this club has been through before, it's about courage, self-belief, sticking together.
“I've been through some very bad moments as a player here and when I've been a manager I've dealt with setbacks, there have been two or three crises at least since I became manager here and one thing I can say is I'll always give it a good shot and fight back.
“The players come in, they are proper pros, good people and we have an environment in and around the place where there is loads of respect for each other.
I'm responsible for the reaction, result, performance
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
“It's been a difficult week, of course, we've had to deal with the result and performance against Liverpool which we know wasn't good enough and that's something that footballers have to deal with, that's why we're in this game.
“You have to look forward to the next game, and when you get to that next game sort it out and challenge the problems.
“We need a reaction and it's my job as well to put the players in the right frame of mind, I'm responsible for the reaction, result, performance.
“We've worked on the pitch, worked on everything that needs to be sorted for a footballer, it's not just frame of mind but strategy, game plan, tactics, technically, we've had a good week and I feel the boys are ready to give their best.”
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Solskjaer admitted that he has received words of encouragement from Sir Alex Ferguson who was at Carrington this week on a commercial appointment.
Solskjaer said: “We spoke for a brief moment because he was in there with Cristiano.”
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Liverpool hero Steve Nicol says Solskjaer should absolutely hate Sir Alex Ferguson being at Carrington
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