Solskjaer wants protection from tactical fouls ahead of Man City clash

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has called for his Manchester United players to be protected amid Manchester City's propensity for tactical fouls ahead of their League Cup semi-final first leg.

Solskjaer last month oversaw an impressive 2-1 derby victory at the Etihad Stadium, where United burst into a 2-0 lead inside the first 30 minutes through their scintillating counter-attacks.

City midfielder Fernandinho was converted into an auxiliary centre half and floundered amid the pace of the United attackers, but avoided a booking for a foul on Daniel James in the 27th minute.

James burst into the City half and was cynically upended by Fernandinho but referee Anthony Taylor refused to card the Brazilian after playing an advantage that ended with Marcus Rashford clipping the crossbar. The foul was acknowledged by Taylor but did not register as a transgression since play carried on and Fernandinho was not cautioned.

Solskjaer, his predecessor Jose Mourinho, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp and former West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini have all referred to City's penchant for tactical fouling under Pep Guardiola. The ex-City assistant Mikel Arteta was also filmed by the Amazon Prime filmmakers saying: "David [Silva], Kevin [de Bruyne], Gundo(gan), make fouls. If there is a transition, make a foul."

"We got past their press last time and if you count the number of fouls I don't think there were too many," Solskjaer said. "That's a big thing and sometimes I look at the referees and I look at our games and, even if they are just little fouls, there have been teams who have stopped us with them little fouls which have stopped us showing how good we are when we attack. But I didn't raise it this time, you did!"

When Solskjaer was specifically asked about Fernandinho's foul on James, he replied: "There have been a few fouls on Dan James and I am better off not talking about it.

"But the referees have got to look at when players with his pace, even if they just knock the ball past them, and they stop them in their tracks, of course it is a yellow card."

United's victory at City was just over four weeks ago but the failure to build on it with a win over Everton the following week and a listless defeat at Watford diluted its impact. City have won seven of their eight matches since and the 3-2 reverse at Wolves was self-inflicted not just by Ederson's early red card but Guardiola's dubious decision to substitute Kevin de Bruyne with them 2-1 ahead.

Solskjaer scoffed at the half-joking suggestion City have looked 'ordinary' at times this term. "I think football is a funny game and there are different factors that play into it. Against Wolves not long ago, they had a 'keeper sent off after 10 minutes.

"And it is getting tighter and tighter for me - the level in the Premier League has gone up and I wouldn't call City ordinary as you just did.

"For me, when you watch them you have to admire what they are trying to do on the pitch and they are sticking true to their values and beliefs. Any results in this country - because there are so many good players and the level is so high - and you have to be at your best mind and fitness to have a chance of a result.

"We beat them a month ago, so we know we can beat them. We played a really good game. I felt we had eight, nine, 10 quick attacks in the first-half that could easily been three or four goals, because we created three or four chances.

"I think you have to beat the press because they are very good at regaining the ball quickly. If you can go past it or if you can get past the first press you have a good chance. So there are different ways of getting results."