Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the 2-2 draw with Southampton. AFP
Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the 2-2 draw with Southampton. AFP
Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the 2-2 draw with Southampton. AFP
Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the 2-2 draw with Southampton. AFP

Manchester United v Chelsea: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer unhappy with 'unfair' FA Cup schedule


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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hit out at the scheduling that will see Sunday's FA Cup semi-final opponents Chelsea have 48 hours longer to prepare.

United face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Thursday, while Chelsea head into the encounter having beaten Norwich City on Tuesday.

"There is a concern that they've had 48 hours more rest and recovery than us. It's not fair," Solskjaer told reporters.

"We spoke about fair scheduling going into this restart. I have to think about Thursday. We have to win that one and then let's pick up the pieces after that."

However, Solskjaer said his team were in good shape to deal with the upcoming schedule.

"The next two weeks will be hectic, but we're very fit. Our lads haven't felt as fit as this for years," he said.

As well as direct opponents in the FA Cup, United and Chelsea are also in the battle for a top four place in the Premier League.

The Blues currently sit third on 63 points with two games remaining, although fifth-placed United can close the gap to two points with a win over Crystal Palace.

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Manchester United v Southampton ratings

  • David De Gea - 6: Could do little for first goal in his 400th United appearance. Had to be a alert against an impressive foe and made super late save from Redmond, but then beaten at the last. Getty
    David De Gea - 6: Could do little for first goal in his 400th United appearance. Had to be a alert against an impressive foe and made super late save from Redmond, but then beaten at the last. Getty
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 6: Involved in build up for equaliser. Attacking intent but not quite either Ronaldo when he dribbles. . AP
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 6: Involved in build up for equaliser. Attacking intent but not quite either Ronaldo when he dribbles. . AP
  • Harry Maguire - 6: Industrial language used in the world’s first industrial park. More passes than any player on pitch, but at heart of a defence that has conceded two goals in each of their last two home games. PA
    Harry Maguire - 6: Industrial language used in the world’s first industrial park. More passes than any player on pitch, but at heart of a defence that has conceded two goals in each of their last two home games. PA
  • Victor Lindelof - 6: Wobbly at times in early Saints’ onslaught. Improved, cut out a late Smallbone cross and couldn’t prevent late, late equaliser from set play. PA:
    Victor Lindelof - 6: Wobbly at times in early Saints’ onslaught. Improved, cut out a late Smallbone cross and couldn’t prevent late, late equaliser from set play. PA:
  • Luke Shaw - 6: Drove hard down the left. Came off after 74 after going over heavily on his ankle. Getty
    Luke Shaw - 6: Drove hard down the left. Came off after 74 after going over heavily on his ankle. Getty
  • Nemanja Matic - 7: Initially overwhelmed by an excellent Southampton start, but made more tackles and interceptions than any player. Had more touches and was fouled more than any player too. Getty
    Nemanja Matic - 7: Initially overwhelmed by an excellent Southampton start, but made more tackles and interceptions than any player. Had more touches and was fouled more than any player too. Getty
  • Bruno Fernandes - 7: Underhit a couple of early first half crosses. Nutmegged Ward-Prowse with a back heel to set up Pogba. Lively. PA
    Bruno Fernandes - 7: Underhit a couple of early first half crosses. Nutmegged Ward-Prowse with a back heel to set up Pogba. Lively. PA
  • Paul Pogba - 6: Caught out for opening goal and dispossessed again soon after. Steadied up, shot from distance, but not as his best. Like many of team mates, gave ball away too much. PA
    Paul Pogba - 6: Caught out for opening goal and dispossessed again soon after. Steadied up, shot from distance, but not as his best. Like many of team mates, gave ball away too much. PA
  • Anthony Martial - 8: Chance for an early one on one. Fantastic in setting up equaliser. Then smashed second goal in after going past defender like he wasn’t there for 50th MUFC goal. Best player on the field. Shame there were no fans to be sat on the edge of their seat watching him. AFP
    Anthony Martial - 8: Chance for an early one on one. Fantastic in setting up equaliser. Then smashed second goal in after going past defender like he wasn’t there for 50th MUFC goal. Best player on the field. Shame there were no fans to be sat on the edge of their seat watching him. AFP
  • Marcus Rashford - 7: Offside before he put the ball in the net after 15 mins. Onside to score first goal from open play of the restart. Rapid driving forward. Shot close from distance after 55 minutes, superb run and combination with Martial after 68. Best performance since his injury. AFP
    Marcus Rashford - 7: Offside before he put the ball in the net after 15 mins. Onside to score first goal from open play of the restart. Rapid driving forward. Shot close from distance after 55 minutes, superb run and combination with Martial after 68. Best performance since his injury. AFP
  • Mason Greenwood - 6: Suffered awful first half tackle from Romeu and quieter game than of late. EPA
    Mason Greenwood - 6: Suffered awful first half tackle from Romeu and quieter game than of late. EPA
  • SUBS: Fred (On for Pogba 63') 6: Replaced Pogba after an hour to stop an impressive Southampton cutting through midfield. . AP
    SUBS: Fred (On for Pogba 63') 6: Replaced Pogba after an hour to stop an impressive Southampton cutting through midfield. . AP
  • Brandon Williams - (On for Shaw 73') 6: Was getting valuable minutes most games, until he went off after a sickening clash of heads. Reuters
    Brandon Williams - (On for Shaw 73') 6: Was getting valuable minutes most games, until he went off after a sickening clash of heads. Reuters
  • Daniel James - (On for Greenwood 84') NA. Getty
    Daniel James - (On for Greenwood 84') NA. Getty
  • Scott McTominay - (On for Fernandes 84') NA. Getty
    Scott McTominay - (On for Fernandes 84') NA. Getty
  • Alex McCarthy - 7: Brilliant stop to deny Martial in first 10 minutes and another good save to parry away a Pogba drive before the break. No chance with goals. AFP
    Alex McCarthy - 7: Brilliant stop to deny Martial in first 10 minutes and another good save to parry away a Pogba drive before the break. No chance with goals. AFP
  • Kyle Walker-Peters - 5: A tough night for the right-back. Suffered a torrid first half after being dragged out of position as Rashford equalised and left for dead by Martial for the second. Booked after break for deliberate handball that stopped Rashford getting through on goal. Getty. Getty
    Kyle Walker-Peters - 5: A tough night for the right-back. Suffered a torrid first half after being dragged out of position as Rashford equalised and left for dead by Martial for the second. Booked after break for deliberate handball that stopped Rashford getting through on goal. Getty. Getty
  • Jack Stephens - 6: Almost handed Martial chance to make it 3-1 after gifting possession but French attacker blazed over after mazy run. Reuters
    Jack Stephens - 6: Almost handed Martial chance to make it 3-1 after gifting possession but French attacker blazed over after mazy run. Reuters
  • Jan Bednarek - 7: Solid night at the back for Polish defender up against a daunting United attack. AFP
    Jan Bednarek - 7: Solid night at the back for Polish defender up against a daunting United attack. AFP
  • Ryan Bertrand - 8: Excellent performance from the full-back who did really well against an in-form Greenwood. Getty
    Ryan Bertrand - 8: Excellent performance from the full-back who did really well against an in-form Greenwood. Getty
  • Oriol Romeu - 7: Midfielder lucky to escape punishment for nasty late challenge on Greenwood in first half, but was key performer for the Saints. Reuters
    Oriol Romeu - 7: Midfielder lucky to escape punishment for nasty late challenge on Greenwood in first half, but was key performer for the Saints. Reuters
  • James Ward-Prowse - 6: Almost gifted Martial opening goal after being caught in possession but rescued by his goalkeeper. Booked for rugby tackling Fernandez in first half. Superb in-swinging corner to set up late leveller. Reuters
    James Ward-Prowse - 6: Almost gifted Martial opening goal after being caught in possession but rescued by his goalkeeper. Booked for rugby tackling Fernandez in first half. Superb in-swinging corner to set up late leveller. Reuters
  • Nathan Redmond - 8: Good cross for Armstrong's goal, always a threat going forward and assisted Bertrand to help keep Greenwood quiet. Forced excellent stop from De Gea late on. AFP
    Nathan Redmond - 8: Good cross for Armstrong's goal, always a threat going forward and assisted Bertrand to help keep Greenwood quiet. Forced excellent stop from De Gea late on. AFP
  • Stuart Armstrong - 7: Wonderful control in first half to bring down cross but could only drive straight at De Gea. No mistake a few minutes later when showed great composure to take a touch and put his team one up. Reuters
    Stuart Armstrong - 7: Wonderful control in first half to bring down cross but could only drive straight at De Gea. No mistake a few minutes later when showed great composure to take a touch and put his team one up. Reuters
  • Che Adams - 5: Started well as Southampton dominated early stages but faded as match went on. AFP
    Che Adams - 5: Started well as Southampton dominated early stages but faded as match went on. AFP
  • Danny Ings - 7: The striker was a constant menace to United. Showed great anticipation to dispossess Pogba and begin the move that led to Armstrong's goal. Reuters
    Danny Ings - 7: The striker was a constant menace to United. Showed great anticipation to dispossess Pogba and begin the move that led to Armstrong's goal. Reuters
  • SUBS: Shane Long - (On for Adams 64') 6: Half-chance with header but was too far out to trouble De Gea. Reuters
    SUBS: Shane Long - (On for Adams 64') 6: Half-chance with header but was too far out to trouble De Gea. Reuters
  • William Smallbone - (On for Armstrong 70') 6: No major impact after coming on. Reuters
    William Smallbone - (On for Armstrong 70') 6: No major impact after coming on. Reuters
  • Michael Obafemi - (On for Romeu 87') NA: Very late sub who earned Saints a point after getting on end of Ward-Prowse corner at back post. Getty
    Michael Obafemi - (On for Romeu 87') NA: Very late sub who earned Saints a point after getting on end of Ward-Prowse corner at back post. Getty