Alexis 'wants to prove a point' at Barca - Solskjaer

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The Red Devils boss thinks their returning winger, and recent history of comebacks in Europe, could help them overcome the Spanish club

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has tipped Alexis Sanchez to â€œprove a pointâ€ as his team welcome back the Chilean, who previously played for Barcelona, ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg clash.

The Red Devils are 1-0 down after the first game at Old Trafford but Solskjaer belives they can win the tie, pointing to his team overcoming a bigger deficit in the last round against PSG.

United will also welcome back Nemanja Matic for the match at Camp Nou.

â€œWell of course that memory of PSG will help the players,â€ the Norwegian told a press conference.

â€œAs a team we know that we can turn things around - it is not that long ago and we are one goal better off. [But] Barcelona is a difficult prospect.

â€œFitness-wise [Matic and Sanchez] are available.

â€œOf course, for Alexis who has been here and played here it is a big night. When he is on the pitch he wants to prove a point as well.

â€œLetâ€™s hope he can end the season great for us.

â€œWe are playing games that United are used to. We are still challenging for a semi-final.

â€œLetâ€™s hope Alexis, when he is on the pitch, can be happy with his performance.â€

Solskjaer believes Unitedâ€™s good away form is a positive for his team ahead of the game at Camp Nou.

He acknowledged they didnâ€™t play well in the first leg, and hinted at their approach to Tuesdayâ€™s game.

â€œMaybe teams are a bit more open against us [away from home]. Maybe they feel they have to try and get their goals.

â€œMaybe it is coincidence, we scored against PSG after two minutes, that is a big massive factor.

â€œIf we could get the first goal that is going to be so important then we are level and from then on a draw would suit us.

â€œWe have got the players. Sometimes it is luck, sometimes it is David at the other end saving.

â€œWe didnâ€™t stamp our authority on the game at home, we didnâ€™t keep the ball or create chances as we should have.

â€œWe know we need to perform better and play ourselves. If you give players like Suarez and Messi time on the ball, you will suffer.

â€œOf course, we have to use set-pieces. We have to be better than what we did last week.

â€œSometimes it is counter-attack, sometimes it is quick play. We have to be the best we can be.

â€œWe are playing against a fantastic team and we have to be realistic enough.â€

2019-04-15 23:00:02

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