OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER believes it is Manchester United’s destiny to win tonight’s Europa League final — because of the “special” number 26.
The clash with Villarreal in Poland falls on the same date as legendary United manager Sir Matt Busby’s birthday.
May 26 was also the date of United’s 1999 Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich, which saw Solskjaer score to clinch the Treble.
And with 26 also a key date for his family, the United boss believes the omens are good, despite being without injured captain Harry Maguire.
He said: “My wife’s birthday is on the 26th and we got married on the 26th, so I have to believe in destiny.
“It’s a special number for us, for my family as well.
“I’m not very superstitious but I’ve got to take this as a good omen.
“The players need to do the job and maybe we can honour Sir Matt’s birthday with another win.
“You’re not superstitious when it is something negative. When it’s something positive you think it will work in your favour. I think it will be a good omen for us.
“These are big nights for us. It might be the stepping stone for something better to come, a bright future.
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“It is a young team that we have rebuilt over the last couple of years.
“When players sign for Manchester United they sign to win trophies.
“They sign to accept the challenge of being the best because this is the best club in the world.
“That is the pleasure of the pressure of playing for Manchester United and something they are ready for.”
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Maguire, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, watched training from the dugout. Eric Bailly looks set to take his place but also needed treatment.
Villarreal manager Unai Emery is not bothered by the England man’s absence.
The former Arsenal boss said: “They will replace an excellent player with another excellent player.
“For us to break them down, we have to impose our game on them.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
