In 2019, the English clubs agreed on the awarding of the title in the European Cups. Now there is no Premier League club in the final. The development of Man United can give the Red Devils fans hope despite all the trouble about the semi-finals.
Cologne (dpa) - Claim and reality do not go together at Manchester United. The unfortunate Europa League loss in the semifinals against Sevilla FC is typical of the season of the former title collector, who failed in a semifinals for the third time this year.
The team of coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did a lot right against the Spanish Europa League experts, but in the crucial moments there was a lack of efficiency and cleverness. For the first time since 2015, the finals in the Europa League and the Champions League are taking place without English teams.
Last season Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal turned the finals into a pure Premier League event. One day after the quarter-final defeat of local rivals Manchester City in the premier class, the European Cup 2019/20 chapter ended late on Sunday evening in Cologne for the last representative from the island.
With all the disappointment and all the anger about the 1: 2 in an actually superior game with many scoring chances, Solskjaer and his captain Harry Maguire also looked ahead. The longing for trophies should finally be satisfied again in the coming season - Man United celebrated their last title three years ago.
"We know what it means to play for this club: losing is not acceptable," said Maguire. "Just making it to the semi-finals is not acceptable." The central defender was confident that he would soon win the title despite the narrowly missed finals in the Europa League, the FA Cup and the League Cup: "It will surely happen soon."
Indeed, the development of the Red Devils under Solskjaer gives cause for hope. In the Premier League, United remained unbeaten for 14 games in a row and qualified third for the Champions League. At the side of the established David De Gea (goalkeeper), Maguire (defense), Bruno Fernandes (midfield) as well as Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford (both storm), young players such as the exceptional talent Mason Greenwood (18), who is in his first full premier League season hit ten times, developing splendidly.
Nevertheless, Solskjaer also sees a need for action for the upcoming extraordinary transfer summer. "We have to strengthen the team across the board because it's going to be a long season," said the Norwegian, who probably won't get a super striker: Borussia Dortmund's managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke recently made a move from Bundesliga top scorer Jadon Sancho this summer Interview of the German press agency a clear rejection.
It is quite possible that Solskjaer does not yet have his squad complete for the start of the league on September 12, after all, due to the corona pandemic, the transfer window will not close until October 5. In any case, accuracy is more important to the coach than speed: "We have to be 100 percent sure when we make deals," he emphasized. After all, there is one big goal above all: aspiration and reality should finally fit together again with the English record champions.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 200817-99-197732 / 2
Europa League news
Information about the match Sevilla FC - Manchester United
The players of the two teams
Statements from Maguire