Van Persie defends United’s penalty record under Solskjaer
Manchester United’s high penalty count this season has been the subject of much discussion, but former player Robin van Persie has come out in defence of his old club.
United were awarded 14 penalties in the Premier League this season, a record for the competition, and 21 in total.
"If you get 21 penalties in a season, it shows you that you're attacking a lot, you know?" the striker, who scored 58 times in three seasons at Old Trafford, told 90min .
"Maybe a couple of them could or could not be a penalty, maybe a little bit tricky, but even then you're attacking and in a situation where the referee can give a penalty. I think it's a good thing that they're getting so many."
United join race for Leicester City defender - report
It's been reported by the Mirror that United are considering launching a bid for Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell.
England defender Chilwell, who missed most of the Premier League run-in due to injury, has been a long-term target of Chelsea but was previously on United's radar and has been linked with a move to Old Trafford again.
Leicester reportedly want £80million for the player, who played his 100th game for the club last season. However, the MEN understands United shelved plans to recruit a left-back earlier in the season following the emergence of Brandon Williams.
Berbatov urges Solskjaer to rotate squad in Europa League pursuit
United’s Europa League quarter-final against FC Copenhagen was a struggle, with Solskjaer’s team needing an extra-time penalty from Fernandes to ensure their passage to the final four.
Solskjaer has kept faith with his first-choice players throughout the Premier League run-in, while also naming a strong side to take on the 2018/19 Danish champions, but former United striker Dimitar Berbatov has called on the manager to freshen things up for the semi-final against Sevilla.
“The majority of players want to play every match, particularly when things are going well,” the Bulgarian wrote in his column for Betfair .
"But it's important to speak to players and see how they are feeling, and as a manager you need to be ready to rest a player even when that player says he wants to play but is fatigued or carrying a knock.
“If you meet a team that is as good as you and your players are suffering fatigue, you are going to be in trouble.”
If United beat Sevilla, they will face either Inter Milan or Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League final.
“At this stage of the competition, winning is all that matters,” said Berbatov. “They have to win two games and it doesn't matter how they play if they win those.”
