Solskjaer promises not to take LASK lightly

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pledged not to take tonight’s opponents LASK lightly.

United play the first leg of the last 16 tie tonight at 5.55pm in a match which will takes place behind closed doors.

Despite having an eye on the Premier League tie with Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, Solskjaer promises not to underestimate the Austrians.

Asked ahead of the game if he would be taking LASK lightly, he told the club website: “Absolutely no chance. They are ahead of Salzburg in the league.

“We’ve seen them knock out Alkmaar quite easily, really comfortably.

“This is a tough game. They play a certain style of football they are used to – high energy, high tempo, they’re very good at set-pieces and know the system. So this is going to be a challenge for our boys.”

Captain’s comments

Harry Maguire backed Solskjaer’s words, while also insisting United are heading into the game targeting a victory.

He told the club website: “Yeah, I think it is going to be a tough test. They beat AZ Alkmaar in the last round. We have played AZ [this season] and [although] we beat them 4-0 here at Old Trafford, the first half was really tough.

“We know they are not a bad side, they play the ball around nicely, they are a good side who we are playing, we respect them, but we know that with the quality and the talent that we’ve got in our dressing room, we’ve got to go there, perform and win the game.”

Changes still expected

Anthony Martial has not travelled due to an injury sustained against Manchester City.

Odion Ighalo or Mason Greenwood, possibly even both, will lead the line.

Nemanja Matic and David de Gea are also expected to be rested for the fixture, which United enter full of confidence.

Jesse Lingard and Diogo Dalot are out though, decreasing United’s temptation to rotate.

The big danger would be over confidence, and a lack of preparation for the specific challenges LASK’s team bring.

But from Solskjaer’s comments it does not sound as though this will be the case.

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