Is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer capable of doing something, anything wrong?
All current evidence suggests no. At the final whistle, United teared off towards their supporters en masse, the sort of celebration you usually see at the end of a final. They’re happier than Real Madrid were in Kiev last spring, put it that way. Sheer delight on their faces.
Poor old Presnel Kimpembe is understandably distraught, and he’s hugged by Romelu Lukaku, who has a word of comfort for the young shell-shocked defender. But it’s all about Solskjaer, whose smile could light up every arrondissement in Paris. He’s got the job now, hasn’t he.
📸 The moment Marcus Rashford sent Manchester United into the last 8 ⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/Y0LHgfCieq— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 6, 2019
Paris Saint-Germain will look back on a first half where they dominated but errors allowed their opponents in. Romelu Lukaku profited, scoring two either side of Juan Bernat equaliser, but as a slower second half dragged on, Thomas Tuchel’s side looked like the only side capable of progressing.
But the VAR official Massimiliano Irrati saw something late on. The handball decision against Presnel Kimpembe was a touch harsh, perhaps. His back was turned. It brushed the side of his arm. Intentional? Maybe not.
But Marcus Rashford would dispatch the penalty and incredibly, send United through. Mission impossible accomplished. The ‘mountain’ their manager spoke of had been climbed. If it was not already Solskjaer’s job, it must be now.