da esport bet： Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said Marcus Rashford displayed similar mental strength to two all-time greats in Manchester United's famous win over PSG.
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Solskjaer praises Rashford mentalityLikens Man Utd star to Ronaldo & MessiReflected on 2019 win against PSGWHAT HAPPENED?
Looking back at Manchester United's 2019 aggregate comeback win against Paris Saint-Germain, Solskjaer spoke glowingly about Rashford's ability to handle pressure as part of an interview with – the forward scored a 94th-minute penalty at Parc des Princes to knock PSG out after they had initially won 2-0 at Old Trafford in the first leg at Old Trafford. The United boss suggested only the very best, players like Ronaldo or Messi, have that kind of mental strength.
AdvertisementWHAT SOLSKJAER SAID
Solskjaer said: "We only needed another goal. We'd already surprised them by scoring two. I said that if we got to the last 10 minutes needing only a goal, then it was squeaky-bum time for them, they’d wobble. And we did. Marcus was shooting from distance against Gianluigi Buffon. That’s what you want Marcus to do. Give the goalkeeper something to think about."
Referring to the decisive stoppage time penalty, he added: "Players who can handle that pressure are the best: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and, after 94 minutes, Marcus with that penalty – a brilliant one, right in front of the away fans, to send us through to the quarter-finals. I ran across the pitch to celebrate with the players and the fans in the rain. Then we went back to the dressing room. It was electric."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
No team had ever lost 2-0 at home in the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie and still managed to get through, but a first half brace in Paris from Romelu Lukaku either side of one from Juan Bernat gave United a glimmer of hope of doing what was seemingly impossible. The aggegrate score was still 3-2 in PSG's favour as stoppage time hit, but Rashford converted from the spot after a lengthy VAR check ruled that Presnel Kimpembe had handled the ball. Solskjaer, then only interim boss, was given a three-year contract just 22 days later.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?
The United forward continues to battle his critics after this season's form has not lived up to his 30-goal campaign in 2022/23. He and fans alike will hope that an extra-time equaliser in the FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool at the weekend could be a necessary jumpstart ahead of the crucial run-in as United battle to both lift the cup at Wembley and finish in the Premier League top four. A starting place for England at Euro 2024 could also be at stake.