Solskjaer says sorry to Roma for ‘don’t know them’ claim
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has apologised to Roma fans after the Manchester United manager claimed he “did not know” the Italian club and “had not seen them play”.
Solskjaer’s comments, following United’s quarter-final win over Granada earlier this month, sparked anger in Rome, and hardline supporters put up posters of the Norwegian with the slogan: ‘Make sure he remembers us’.
Now Solskjaer has attempted to defuse the row ahead of United’s semi-final first leg with the Serie A side at Old Trafford tonight (8.0).
“It was not meant as disrespect, I think everyone knows that,” Solskjaer said. “That was straight after the game and with all the games we’ve had I was just relieved we’d gone through. Of course I’d watched them, but hadn’t analysed and hadn’t seen them in depth to give them enough respect.
“It’s a fantastic club with a great history. I’ve got two prized possessions back home, a Totti shirt and a De Rossi shirt that I’ve swapped with them and they’re actually signed, so I know about the history, I know about the quality.”
Marcus Rashford has been carrying knocks, but has been passed fit to play in the first leg.
Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021]
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