Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted Manchester United can “go all the way” in the Champions League after his side’s historic 3-1 win at Paris Saint-Germain.
Having been written off in their last-16 tie after a 2-0 first-leg defeat to the French champions three weeks ago, United became the first team in Champions League history to qualify for the next round having lost the first leg of a knockout match at home by two or more goals, sensationally beating PSG 3-1 at the Parc des Princes to progress on away goals.
Two goals from Romelu Lukaku and a late, controversial Marcus Rashford penalty sent United through to the quarter-finals for the first time in five seasons, with an elated Solskjaer adamant there is even more to come from his side.
“We always believed,” Solskjaer said. “The plan wasn’t about having the ball and out playing them, if you give this team too much space and time they can hurt you.
“You saw a couple of times in the first half when we missed out defensive shape. The plan was to be in the game with five minutes to go and it worked.
“I have got some fantastic memories, and that’s what it gives you. It is special when you are a coach, doing it with your staff and the players. The dressing room was absolutely unbelievable, just to see the whole club together, with owners, ex-players, former managers.
“We can go all the way. Of course we fancy ourselves. We have to wait for the draw. We had loads of injuries and suspensions but that was maybe a good thing here today, as we had a fresh team with lots of energy. We knew we had to defend and be humble enough to work hard. All the teams that are through are quality teams.”
Since Solskjaer’s first match in charge on December 22, only Manchester City (15) have won more matches in all competitions than United (14) among teams in the top five European leagues, with this latest feat intensifying speculation caretaker manager Solskjaer will get the job on a full-time basis sooner rather than later. Solskjaer, though, would not be drawn on such talk.