OLE'S VERDICT AS UNITED REACH FA CUP LAST FOUR

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was pleased to secure progress to the semi-finals of the Emirates FA Cup, after Manchester United defeated Norwich City 2-1 at Carrow Road.

After a 90-minute contest which saw Todd Cantwell cancel out Odion Ighalo's opener, the Reds advanced to the last four of the competition courtesy of an extra-time finish from Harry Maguire against the 10-man Canaries.

Speaking to BBC Sport, MUTV and in his post-match press conference, the boss gave his verdict on the 120-minute match, the performance of Ighalo and the chance for players to gain valuable fitness.

WE'RE DELIGHTED TO GO THROUGH

“It is cup football for you, the game was not the greatest spectacle, but I felt we kept the ball okay but did not threaten or create chances. We're delighted to be in the last four and got a good work-out for many of the players. It was nice for Harry Maguire to get the winner.”

MINUTES IN THE TANK

“That's all that matters in the cup, that you are through. You come through it with no injuries, you come through it with minutes on the board for players. Some of them, you can see that they need to play to get their match fitness and we're through so we're delighted with that.”

IGHALO'S FINISH

“He's got one eye on the ball and probably one eye on is the keeper [Tim Krul] coming to smash him and is the defender coming to smash him, so well done. He was involved with the second goal as well and that was great reactions by Harry. You can expect him maybe being in there heading it, but that's a proper poacher's goal.”

BREAKING THE 10 MEN DOWN

“I would have scored earlier [if I had been on]! You've got to go for it. Of course, when they've got 10 men, it's going to be difficult for them, so we looked at it as you've got 30 minutes to just break them down. Don't make it easy for them, but just keep moving the ball, make those runs and, hopefully, we'll get the chance and we did.”

MAGUIRE'S CUP GOALS

“Two different goals, one you don’t expect at Tranmere, you’d expect the header to go in today but it was a fantastic save. Harry’s been magnificent since he’s been to the club, his leadership skills are there to be seen, today he won every header and made every challenge.”

THE CHANCE TO ROTATE

“It is great to have the option. Odion Ighalo gives me a chance to rotate and he is a proven goalscorer and played his part. He is a great person to have around the dressing room too.”

MARTIAL'S INTRODUCTION

“I thought Anthony came on and did really well, he made a little bit of a difference, runs down the channel, some great sprints and turns, he was positive. With 10 men, we knew we had 30 minutes, we had to keep prodding and take our chances.”

LOOKING AHEAD

“We're at Wembley, one step away from the final, so we're going to give it a proper go.

”As long as you keep winning, you look forward to the next game, so I think today everyone knows we can play better, but we're through and everyone will be going back home smiling.“