Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aims a dig at the Premier League

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes subtle swipe at the Premier League after Villarreal’s LaLiga clash against Real Madrid was moved a day EARLIER to give Spaniards more preparation time for Wednesday’s Europa League final

  • Manchester United face Villarreal in the Europa League final on Wednesday 
  • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer picked a highly-changed side on Sunday against Wolves
  • The United boss admitted he had one eye on the European clash in Gdansk
  • He added that he is ‘not holding out high hopes’ for Harry Maguire’s availability  


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has fired a shot towards the Premier League after LaLiga helped out Villarreal ahead of the Europa League final on Wednesday, while the English top flight did not assist United.

While Manchester United played – and beat – Wolves on Sunday on the final day of the Premier League season, Villarreal’s LaLiga finale against Real Madrid was moved to Saturday, giving the Spaniards a day extra to prepare for the European showpiece in Gdansk.

Solskjaer picked a much-changed team at Molineux with one eye clearly on Wednesday’s final and the United boss couldn’t help but point out how ‘poignant’ it was that LaLiga aided one of their sides – but the Premier League didn’t do the same. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has fired a shot towards the Premier League regarding fixture scheduling

Unai Emery's Villarreal have an extra day's preparation after they played Real Madrid on Saturday instead of Sunday

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (left) has fired a shot towards the Premier League regarding scheduling after Unai Emery’s (right) Villarreal were handed a boost ahead of the Europa League final

The United boss named a much-changed line-up for the win against Wolves on Sunday

The United boss named a much-changed line-up for the win against Wolves on Sunday

‘Yeah of course we’ve got Wednesday in mind,’ Solskjaer said afterwards, in regards to his team selection. 

‘I thought it was quite poignant that LaLiga move all their games to the day before so Villarreal can play their full strength team just to prepare for the final.

‘I think we could look after ourselves more as well, could get some help. So I had to make these changes.’

Solskjaer also gave a brief update on Harry Maguire’s fitness, with the United skipper struggling to be fit for the final. 

‘[He is] still walking very gingerly,’ Solskjaer said of his captain. 

Captain Harry Maguire is unlikely to be fit for the Europa League final against Villarreal

Captain Harry Maguire is unlikely to be fit for the Europa League final against Villarreal 

‘He’s travelling of course. I’ll give him until Wednesday afternoon to decide on that one but I don’t hold my hopes too high.’ 

Solskjaer is targeting his first trophy since taking over permanently as United boss in December 2018, having previously fallen at numerous semi-final hurdles and coming second in this season’s Premier League. 

Teenager Anthony Elanga was among the goalscorers as United completed an unbeaten away league campaign with three points against Wolves.   

Forward Anthony Elanga, 19, scored his first Manchester United goal in the win at Wolves

Forward Anthony Elanga, 19, scored his first Manchester United goal in the win at Wolves 

source: dailymail.co.uk