Europa League: Solskjaer Lauds Academy Graduates After Man U 2-1 Defeat To Astana

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after another defeat to Kazakhstan club, Astana in the Europa League, applauded youngsters that were fielded for their impressive performance.

The Norwegian tactician said the academy graduates are “knocking on the door” of the first team.

Solskjaer spared his senior players the 6,000-mile round-trip to Kazakhstan took a squad packed with academy graduates and chose an XI with an average age of 22 years and 26 days – the youngest fielded in European competition.

They took the lead through Jesse Lingard’s deflected strike in the 10th minute before Astana overturned the deficit in seven second-half minutes.

Solskjaer, whose side had already qualified for the last 32, told MUTV: “I think some of these might benefit from going out on loan. Of course, they need men’s football and it was a first taste of it for some of them. Some of them are also knocking on the door for us.”

The United boss praised right-back Ethan Laird, midfielder Dylan Levitt and centre-back Di’Shon Bernard, who made their full debuts, although it was the latter’s own goal that gave Astana the lead.

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He added: “You can see the way we dominated midfield, with Jimmy Garner and Dylan playing together. Di’Shon was composed, Ethan was marauding down the right-hand side, particularly in the first half. Some of these have done themselves a good favour.”

Lingard, the eldest of the outfield players at 26 and captain for the night, fired United ahead and ended a goal drought dating back to January.