If you want to take up the challenge with them we need to strengthen our squad.

“Congratulations to them. They have had a fantastic season. I am very pleased with my boys that have made it to the last 10 days with a Manchester City side ahead of us that are lauded as the best in Europe.

“We want to take the next step and it might be that we need a couple more to strengthen the squad.”

We started off slow as you might expect because they have not had any time to prepare for the game but after they scored we had nothing to lose. We played some very good stuff and I was pleased with it.

“You see the leadership with Nemanja [Matic]. Mason [Greenwood] looked like a seasoned professional and he is only 19. We have not had too much time to prepare and we went into half-time pleased out didn’t get out of the traps and they got a goal from a corner that should have been a throw.

“It can’t be like this again. We can’t play like Thursday, Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday, it is impossible that’s the reason we made the changes. It’s unheard of. It is impossible for the players to perform at this level going from Thursday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday.”

It was a huge step [towards the Champions League]. I am so proud of the team. We started well and Luke [Thomas] scored an amazing goal.

“Once we scored we went sloppy and gave the ball away too easily which encouraged them. In the second half we were much better and restricted them.

“The players have definitely overachieved with all the big teams around. Now we can really enjoy the final at the weekend.

“Congratulations to Pep [Guardiola] and his team. They are a wonderful team. They are in the Champions League final, they are champions in England and they clearly deserved it.”

We had a good team today of course some young players got a chance with some experienced players. We had a good balance. A set-piece decided the game.

“In some parts of the game we played some amazing football but we didn’t create enough to score a second goal.

“We had two days [to prepare]. We had some meetings, of course we are not happy with the result, but we played some good football. The youngsters did well and showed great character against a very good side.

“We have to deal with this situation. In two days we have another big game.

“ [Man City] are champions but we have to be focused on ourselves in the last three games and in the Europa League to do our best.”

Playing at Old Trafford is a dream but to score here was unbelievable. With my emotions I didn’t know what to do. There’s no better feeling than seeing it go into the top of the stanchion.

“To come out with a win gives us a great chance going into next week. There’s always pressure but games like this when people don’t believe you can get a result…we have proved we are such a good team by getting a result.”