It was just India's second Test match win at the Oval, coming 50 years after a four-wicket triumph at the south London ground gave them a first such success on English soil
Solskjaer's first four semi-finals as United boss ended in defeat, including a 2-1 loss to eventual champions Sevilla in last season's remodelled Europa League.
"If I think about the players they could play, they have a really strong side available. Midfield, wow. Up front, all good players. They might be young but they are good.
The game became increasingly open in the final minutes. De Gea made a fine save before an own goal from Jesus Vallejo sealed a 2-0 second-leg victory for United.
"But people don't change overnight. People sometimes face challenges they are not immediately ready for and sometimes you don't even know a challenge will come up.