United didn’t ‘turn up’ for Europa League final against Villarreal moans Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted Manchester United failed to turn up after they suffered Europa League final heartbreak against Villarreal.

Goalkeeper David De Gea saw his penalty saved by rival Geronimo Rulli at the end of a dramatic, 22-kick marathon shoot-out to earn Villarreal their first ever major trophy but leave Solskjaer and his players crestfallen.

The United manager said: ‘We didn’t turn up. We didn’t play as well as we can do. That’s football for you. Sometimes decided on one kick and that’s the difference between winning and losing.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United failed to ‘turn up’ for their Europa League final

‘We’ve got to, not savour the feeling, but taste it and make sure you don’t get it again.’

Striker Marcus Rashford issued a passionate defence of United after their defeat, saying: ‘We came here to win and have been working hard all season and this was the opportunity to win a trophy and it did not happen.

‘All I can say is the team will not give up. No chance. The manager will not give up. He won’t allow us to give up and we will come back next season with a bigger desire.

‘People say a lot about Manchester United, “they’re going downhill, blah blah, blah” but for me the club, the desire, the hunger, the talent, the ability, we have everything to compete at the highest level. We just have to show it to the world and to ourselves. Why we belong at the top, in finals like this, winning finals like this.’

The Red Devils lost the final against Villarreal on Wednesday night due to penalties 

The dramatic shootout came down to David De Gea’s crucial penalty – which he missed

After Edinson Cavani cancelled out Gerard Moreno’s first-half opener there were no further goals in Gdansk and it was Villarreal who triumphed after the nerve-shredding shootout extending below-par United’s wait for a first trophy since 2017.

United finished second in the Premier League but trophyless this season.

Asked if United can consider this season a success, Solskjaer said: ‘No. It’s not a successful season ‘Trophies is what matter at this club so no is the short answer.’

De Gea was beaten by all 11 penalties and started the shootout having last saved a spot-kick back in April 2016.

Solskjaer added: ‘You go through every scenario of course and it has crossed my mind in build up to the game [his penalty record] but we were confident in David and prepared but anything can happen in penalty shootouts so I stuck with the keeper who played all the game.’