Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tells Manchester United to learn from Bayern Munich after Barcelona annihilation

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has declared Bayern Munich the best team in Europe after witnessing their annihilation of Barcelona.

The Manchester United manager is preparing for Sunday’s Europa League semi-final against Sevilla in Cologne.

But he took time to watch Bayern destroy Barca 8-2 in the Champions League on Friday night – and insists the German giants are the benchmark for the rest to follow.

The United manager said: “We watched it and I have to say Bayern are setting the standard at the moment - throughout the season actually.

“The new coach came in and they are absolutely brilliant. You can see everything they do is something to look to.

“Their aggression, pressing, runs, recovery runs and technical adaptability. It was was a top, top class performance from a top team.”

Solskjaer accepts his United team remain a work in progress after his first full season in charge. But a third semi-final, as well as a top-three finish in the Premier League, is evidence of their progress under him.

Now he wants them to deliver a first piece of silverware of his reign after defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea cost them in the last four in both domestic cups.

“Mentally they will be ready,” he said. “It is a semi final and everyone wants to take part and join in. I want them to enjoy it.

“We are looking forward to it. It’s a semi final – we’ve been their twice before this season.

"I am happy to go as far as we have, but I’m not satisfied. We want to go one step further.

“You know when you come to a semi-final you’re playing a big team, a good team with quality.

“It is time to step up for the big players and the big game moments. We need 100 per cent focus because any little moment can change or lose the game.

“We’ve learned it’s very painful to lose a semi-final.”