OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER bemoaned Manchester United’s sloppy start and lack of cutting edge as their League Cup hopes went up in smoke at home to West Ham.

Just three days on from winning a thrilling Premier League clash at the London Stadium, the Red Devils were on the wrong end of the result as the sides resumed battle in Wednesday’s third-round clash.

Manuel Lanzini’s early goal proved the difference as West Ham won at Old Trafford for the first time since 2007 on a night when the hosts lacked coherence and failed to convert any of their 27 attempts.

Solskjaer made 11 alterations against a Hammers side showing 10 changes, with a fourth-round clash at home to champions Manchester City the reward for former United boss David Moyes and his team.

“Every game is important,” Solskjaer said.

“But I think you can see by the team selection that we’ve always used this competition when I’ve been here at the club to give minutes for ones who need it because we know it’s a very, very long season.

“I’ve never actually won this tournament, so that hunt will keep going because it’s a trophy I’d like to have.

“But we have to make the decisions to have the squad up to speed for the rest of the season and sometimes you have to take risks and make changes and we did.

“Great to see Alex Telles, of course, back on the pitch. He might have needed 10 or 15 minutes to get into the game.

“But we started poorly, we finished maybe the last five minutes too open but we had to go for it.

“27 shots shows that everyone gave it a good go. Can’t fault the attitude at all.

“I was pleased with the attitude and then a little bit of good fortune could have gone our way, a little bit more quality, and maybe a decision here or there that we don’t seem to get at the moment.”