Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had a tough time of things against Liverpool whilst with the Red Devils with one star in particular grinding the Norwegian’s gears
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pointed to a Liverpool player that used to cause nightmares against Man United (Image: Getty Images)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has bemoaned Roberto Firmino for causing him “the most problems” during his time at Manchester United.
The Norwegian had nearly three years at the helm at Old Trafford. He was initially given the reins on a temporary basis after Jose Mourinho’s sacking and got the Red Devils back on track.
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Solskjaer was given the job permanently but lasted until November 2021. Whilst the 50-year-old had a number of highlights with United – a second-placed Premier League finish among his achievements – Solskjaer never quite managed to get to grips with the Red Devils’ fierce rivals Liverpool after a number of meetings.
He took on the Merseysiders on seven occasions during his time at Man United and only won once – that victory coming in the form of a 3-2 win at Old Trafford in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Shortly before being sacked by the Red Devils, Solskjaer’s side were on the wrong end of a 5-0 reverse to Liverpool on home soil.
Speaking through that defeat with The Athletic, Solskjaer has detailed that Firmino was one of the biggest threats facing his side when they clashed with Liverpool. He said: “In my last season, we played Liverpool at home.
“I felt the players were ready for it, just like I’d felt they were ready when we’d gone to City and won. We could have sat back and countered but my decision was to go for it.
Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring at Old Trafford ( Image: Getty Images)
“We lost 5-0. It was 50/50, more or less, in possession and chances at half-time, yet we were 4-0 down. I made the wrong decision and that was my lowest point as United manager by a mile.
“Roberto Firmino was probably the opposition player who caused me the most problems as a manager. The 6-1 defeat at home to Spurs was different and affected by a sending-off.”
Solskjaer is not the only top-flight boss to have expressed his fear of Brazilian forward Firmino. Pep Guardiola called for caution ahead of his side’s meeting with Liverpool during the 2017/18 campaign.
Filmed during Amazon’s All or Nothing documentary, the Spaniard said: “They scare me. They’re dangerous, I mean it. I have a feeling that Salah will play [as a] striker. Salah will play as number nine and Firmino will move towards the wing. He comes here and Salah goes forward. Our wing-back can’t cover their wing-backs.”
Both bosses were right to be cautious of the now Al-Ahli forward. During his time with Liverpool, he contributed to ten goals in 22 outings against Man City, with a further eight contributions in 18 career outings against the Red Devils.
