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Men’s Football Manchester United can't afford any more mistakes, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said his Manchester United side can’t afford anymore slip-ups if they are to secure a top-four finish this season.

The Norwegian was speaking after his side slumped to a third defeat in four games following a 2-1 loss away at Wolves.

United could have already been a couple of goals to the good before Scott McTominay netted his first goal for the club with a low strike from 20 yards on 13 minutes.

But midway through the first-half Wolves fought back and were level after poor control from Fred saw the ball find its way to Diogo Jota who fired past David de Gea.

The away side were down to 10 men just before the hour mark after Ashley Young picked up two quick yellow cards for challenges on Jota.

And Wolves made the extra man pay when they found themselves ahead with 13 minutes left, Leander Dendonker forcing Chris Smalling into putting the ball in his own net.

The defeat meant United failed to move into third in the league and have now played a game more than their top-four rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.

But the Red Devils are still in contention to secure a place in next season’s Champions League having been 11 points adrift of fourth place when Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho in December.

And the United manger knows there can be no more mistakes if they are to achieve what seemed to be unachievable just a few months ago.

“I’ve said we needed 15 points in the last seven games or 18 from the last eight,” Solskjaer said. “We got three against Watford so now we need 15 in the last six.

“So we don’t have room for many more losses, no. It is a difficult run but we are a very good team, so it will be difficult for those who play against us and this was always going to be a very tough game and the performance deserved a win.”

But before the Red Devils play in the league again they welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford in the Champions League next week and Solskjaer will be demanding a reaction from his players.

He said there are “many things we need to improve on because they are a top, top side.

“We will use one or two days now to analyse and recover and then we will prepare for Barcelona which will be a fantastic challenge for the club and for the team.”

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