Liverpool will face a team roared on by the whole of Manchester, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned Liverpool they will be facing a Manchester United side roared on by the whole of their city when they head to Old Trafford on Sunday.
A point for Jurgen Klopp’s side will lift them above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and United caretaker manager Solskjaer is adamant his side will be in the unusual position of being supported by their local rivals as they look to prevent Liverpool’s first title since 1990.
“No, we are not thinking about doing anyone any favours, but I would think the whole of Manchester will be supporting us on Sunday,” the Norwegian said.
Solskjaer has been in charge since Jose Mourinho was sacked following a 3-1 defeat at Anfield in December and since then his United side have taken 25 points from a possible 27, the best record in the division in that period.
Key to that resurgence has been the improvement of Paul Pogba, with the Frenchman scoring nine goals and providing six assists in 12 appearances under Solskjaer, amid suggestions that he has toned down his off-field activities.
The midfielder has become as well-known for his colourful hairstyles and his social media posts as for his football skills during his time at Old Trafford.
But former United captain Eric Cantona noted on Friday that the midfielder has not changed his hairstyle since Solskjaer’s arrival, while the caretaker-manager thinks that Pogba is also learning to tone down his social media activity, which was previously a bone of contention with Mourinho.
Solskjaer believes it is important that players do not have too many off-field distractions – making what seemed to be a passing reference to the appearance of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge at the O2 Arena on Wednesday for the Brit Awards.
However, he believes Pogba is showing the levels of professionalism required to be successful.
“He is a leader in training, he is a leader in the dressing room,” Solskjaer said. “Players are allowed to be themselves. He spends a lot of energy being a leader on and off the pitch.
“If you want the nice car, different haircut, it is not a problem. I can’t do anything about my grey hair, but it is not a problem. Have whatever haircut you want.
“Paul has always been a larger-than-life character. But you don’t want to give anyone an excuse really so, of course, you don’t go to the Brit Awards this week.
“We know the players are focused. We know they are doing their best. But he does help himself by toning it down a bit and that is just Paul being Paul. Knowing him, he wants to win. He wants to be the best.”
