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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Stephen Killen

Marcus Rashford lifts lid on how parting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer message helped Manchester United beat Villarreal

Marcus Rashford has revealed how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told the Manchester United players of his sacking.

The Norwegian was relieved of his duties after a run of poor form and results that culminated in an embarrassing 4-1 defeat at Watford.

Michael Carrick took caretaker charge of United for the win against Villarreal which saw them secure qualification for the Champions League knockout stage.

The former Reds midfielder will be in the dugout for the trip to Stamford Bridge as they take on the Premier League leaders with Ralf Rangnick set to be announced as interim manager.

Now Rashford has revealed how he and his teammates had the news broken to them of Solskjaer's departure last Sunday.

"[He spoke to us] individually, around breakfast time, then we had a meeting before we went out to train, which was very different," Rashford told Sky Sports.

"I've been here when managers have left and they just pack their stuff and go out the door. But it just shows how good a person he is, how much the club means to him.

"Inside you feel guilty because everybody has a role to play when you're on the pitch.

"Leading up to that game was obviously difficult for us," he said. "We were already in a difficult patch and with Ole leaving it makes things even trickier. But one of the things Ole always said to us was, 'when you're on the pitch, stick together'. And that performance against Villarreal was that."

Despite the change of manager's, Rashford has revealed that Carrick isn't reinventing the wheel in light of Solskjaer's dismissal, but in his first game in charge, he did lead United to a clean sheet - something the Norwegian hadn't managed for 15 games prior to his sacking.

"A lot of the principles have stayed the same because they're the principles that got us so close to winning those trophies. Not much has changed.

"The players are finding it within ourselves to give 110 per cent and we're going to have to keep doing that. We know we're in an uphill battle but everyone's ready for the fight and we don't have anyone in our team who is shying away from that. Everyone is looking forward."

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