Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to lift the Europa League trophy at the end of a competition that has provided the “perfect” platform for Manchester United’s development.
Solskjaer is determined to win the competition and lift his first trophy as United manager – but the club’s third-placed Premier League finish and subsequent Champions League qualification has eased the pressure ahead of their quarter-final clash with FC Copenhagen.
While every season away from European football’s top table is a gut punch for the Old Trafford giants, Solskjaer believes this Europa League campaign has aided his side’s development.
“We went into this season knowing that Europa League is a great chance for us one to get a trophy, to get far in a tournament,” he said ahead of United’s one-legged last-eight tie in Cologne.
“But also to groom a few of the youngsters and it was perfect for us.
“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.
“When they take them – Brandon is going to play in a quarter-final in the Europa League. It’s a great achievement for him this season and it’s a perfect for us.”
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