While absence from the Champions League is a sore spot for a club the size of Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emphasized his team’s hunger to win the competition.
In addition to the thrill of lifting another trophy, Solskjaer explained that there is another aspect of the Europa League that greatly appeals to him—it’s a platform on which to groom young players.
“I think if we’d been in the Champions League this season – of course, we all want to be the Champions League – I probably or maybe wouldn’t have had the chance to play the likes of Brandon (Williams) as much as we have, Mason (Greenwood) – so many of the young kids who have now started what’s going to be fantastic careers.
The Europa League has also been about that as well. It’s about keeping the squad together, have a group that is working together and giving people chances.”
Having defeated LASK in the round of 16 last week, the Red Devils now find themselves hosting Danish outfit FC Copenhagen. The two sides have only met on two previous occasions—in the Champions League group stages of the 2006/07 season. This time around, Solskjaer intends to provide rising stars such as Brandon Williams with the opportunity to earn big-match experience.
