Pre-match press conference v Granada (home)

Squad rotations?
"We have to make sure we go through, I always pick a team I think wll win a game.
"We will go into the game wanting to win this. We want to improve our performances. There will be a few changes, yeah. Some forced, some rotation."
 
Resting players at risk of suspension?
"N.o. We go into game having to do everything we need to do to win. We don't want any lazy yellow cards, just play the game properly."
 
Hypocrisy to criticise Son Heung-min simulation?
"I think every manager has a certain values.
"When I got sent off against Newcastle many, many years ago I thought I did the right thing for the club.
"Sir Alex Ferguson absoloutely lambasted me after the game 'We don't win that way at Man United'
"We want to win playing by the book."
 
Jesse Lingard update
"Jesse has been brilliant since he left.
"We could have kept him, he has always got a part to play. Man United through and thorugh, never caused me a problem.
"He deserved a chance to play more football, that is why we left him go to West Ham.
"We would welcome him back, we hope he will go to the Euros. I hope he has strong finish to the league.
"It was different here. Bruno's form in the same position. Delighted though for Jesse."
 
What to expect from Granada?
"It is a quarter-final in Europe, they need to score goals.
"We have seen them against Barcelona, Real Madrid how dangerous they can be.
"We have to play a good game and not give them those opportunities."
 
Axel Tuanzebe set to start tomorrow
"Axel has always been a very positive and hard working boy.
"Victor and Harry have formed a very good partnership, his chances have been limited. He is ready for this opportunity.
"I don't think (abuse) affected him."
 
Not worried by lack of leaders tomorrow
"We are a group of young players who want to improve and learn.
"Everyone has to lead, we have different ways to promote leaders. I am not worried about that.
"The team spirit always goes in front of any individual."
 
Eager to get business done early this summer?
"The transfer window will comes when it comes.
"I am just focusing on finishing the season strong.
"Everyone in this job would like to do deals as soon as possible, but my focus is on winning games."
 
Hectic midweek schedule affected progress?
"You have to accept that.
"We have not been in a situation when we can think of any game as a given. It is a good way because then your coaching sessions are in the game really.
"What we have missed out on are the hours on the training ground.
"The biggest challenge was the lack of pre-season because you'd practice different way of playing, but we only had one game which was focused on fitness."
 
Has mentality of squad changed?
"It is not up to me to say if their mentality has changed.
"Our job has been to get the best out of the players, that is different in every coaching style.
"I can feel change in the confidence. When I started rebuilding this squad we had a few months, seasons, to learn. They have learned on the job. Now we want to win a trophy, go as far as we can."
 
Solskjaer gives unusual reason why home form might have dropped
"You'll see a change now the banners around the place. It is not red anymore, we have looked into this.
"It shouldn't be any reason really. But, some of the players have mentioned that split second decision, red shirts on red seats, we have tried to change that along with anti-racism campaign. That was important it is not red anymore.
"If you have got a 4-0 advantage we didn't really have to win that game. First-leg vs Milan we still played well."
 
:lol:

Somewhere Klopp is seething that he hasn't come up with this before now!
We apparently fixed it for the Brighton game:
_118052469_gettyimages-1232113524.jpg

Man Utd change Old Trafford backdrop from red to black after players' struggles

Manchester United have changed the colour of the banners covering the seats at Old Trafford from red to black in an effort to win more home games.
Almost 25 years to the day since former manager Sir Alex Ferguson ordered his players to change their grey shirts at half-time in a match against Southampton because they were struggling to pick each other out, current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said a similar issue may be a reason for his side's problems at home this season.

United have won 13 (54.2%) and lost six (25%) of their 24 home games in all competitions this season. In contrast the figures away from Old Trafford are 17 wins (65.4%) and three defeats (11.5%) from 26 matches.

Solskjaer admits there should be no reason for the discrepancy.

But, in the efforts to find a solution, the Norwegian says the previous seat coverings were not helping.

"We've looked into this," he said. "There shouldn't be a reason, really, but some of the players have mentioned that split-second decision you have to make where you look over your shoulder to see if your team-mate is there or not and the red shirt is on a red background with red seats.

"You'll see a change now, if you see the banners around the club it's not red anymore."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56748752
 
Solskjaer gives unusual reason why home form might have dropped
Why would he say this?! Plenty of ammo for the media/rivals there - we still get grief about those grey shirts.
 
Why would he say this?! Plenty of ammo for the media/rivals there - we still get grief about those grey shirts.
Peripheral vision is a big thing in team sports, ever played 6 aside and found it easier when your team mates have bright bibs on?
 
Who's at risk?
PlayerCL yellowsEL yellowsTotalSuspension
Luke Shaw
1​
2​
3​
Granada (H)
Scott McTominay
1​
2​
3​
Granada (H)
Harry Maguire
2​
1​
3​
Granada (H)
Axel Tuanzebe
3​
0​
3​
Leipzig (H) - served
Brandon Williams
1​
1​
2​
Nemanja Matic
1​
1​
2​
Victor Lindelöf
1​
1​
2​
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
0​
1​
1​
Fred
0​
1​
1​
Paul Pogba
0​
1​
1​
Bruno Fernandes
1​
0​
1​

Williams, Matic and Lindelof are all at risk.
 
Why would he say this?! Plenty of ammo for the media/rivals there - we still get grief about those grey shirts.
It is a very valid reason and ex-players would probably not want to pick on this. Clueless journos may still pick it up.
 
PlayerCL yellowsEL yellowsTotalSuspension
Luke Shaw
1​
2​
3​
Granada (H)
Scott McTominay
1​
2​
3​
Granada (H)
Harry Maguire
2​
1​
3​
Granada (H)
Axel Tuanzebe
3​
0​
3​
Leipzig (H) - served
Brandon Williams
1​
1​
2​
Nemanja Matic
1​
1​
2​
Victor
1​
1​
2​
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
0​
1​
1​
Fred
0​
1​
1​
Paul Pogba
0​
1​
1​
Bruno Fernandes
1​
0​
1​

Williams, Matic and Lindelof are all at risk.

Cheers

Lindelöf is the only worry. When is the slate wiped clean?
 
PlayerCL yellowsEL yellowsTotalSuspension
Luke Shaw
1​
2​
3​
Granada (H)
Scott McTominay
1​
2​
3​
Granada (H)
Harry Maguire
2​
1​
3​
Granada (H)
Axel Tuanzebe
3​
0​
3​
Leipzig (H) - served
Brandon Williams
1​
1​
2​
Nemanja Matic
1​
1​
2​
Victor Lindelöf
1​
1​
2​
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
0​
1​
1​
Fred
0​
1​
1​
Paul Pogba
0​
1​
1​
Bruno Fernandes
1​
0​
1​

Williams, Matic and Lindelof are all at risk.
Shouldn't be a problem, though. Williams (my vote for most likely to get carded) and Matic probably wouldn't play the first semi-final game anyway, and Bailly should be available in the unlikely case that Victor gets carded.