Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed how Ajax helped provide the inspiration for Manchester United’s historic Champions Leagueturnaround against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.
Despite missing 10 first-team players through injury and suspension, the Red Devils became the first team in the competition’s history to overturn a home first-leg deficit of two goals or more as a brace from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford’s contentious last-gasp penalty sealed a memorable 3-1 win and saw them progress through to the quarter-finals on away goals.
Such drama came just 24 hours after Ajax had also massively upset the odds with a stunning 4-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu sent the holders and 13-time winners tumbling out in the last 16, signalling the end of an era.
Speaking after a win which many believe has secured his place as United’s next permanent manager, caretaker boss Solskjaer explained how the Eredivisie champions’ heroics and previous memorable European comebacks had provided the basis for his pre-match words.
“Champions League, that’s what it does,” he told BT Sport.
“You saw last night, Real Madrid-Ajax. That was our team talk, but it was probably their team talk as well.
“Last year it was Real Madrid-Juventus, that was close. The year before Paris against Barcelona – we always know that it’s possible.
“With this club, this is what we do. That’s just Man United.”