Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: ‘We’ve moved on from the Liverpool game’

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he and his Manchester United team have moved on from the humiliation of losing 5-0 to Liverpool two weeks ago, ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby.

It’s a game that will bring to an end a tough run of fixtures for the Red Devils, which has seen them recently beat Tottenham Hotspur and Atalanta, as well as drawing with the Italians in midweek.

However, Man United also suffered bruising losses to Leicester City and Liverpool in the last few weeks. A similarly emphatic defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford will only increase speculation that Solskjaer could be replaced in the Old Trafford hotseat, although he’s become accustomed to that pressure, as the Norwegian explained on Friday.

“When I stepped in the doors here in December 2018, three years ago, there’s been speculation ever since so that’s no problem,” he told reporters, in Friday’s pre-match press conference.

“We’ve moved on from the Liverpool game. Of course, it’s always going to be there as a dark moment in our careers, but we’ve had a good week, we’ve had two good results away from home and we’re ready for this game. You don’t expect an easy ride when you become manager of Man United, so that’s how it is.”

Manchester derby remains special

While the Liverpool encounter may have been a chastening experience for Solskjaer, the recent Manchester derbies have been anything but.

In fact, Man United have won three of the last five meetings between the sides, including the last derby with fans in attendance.

Saturday’s encounter will be the first derby with spectators present since that 2-0 victory in March 2020, and Solskjaer certainly knows the significance of this fixture among the club’s supporter base.

“It’s a special one of course,” he said via video link. “The last time we had a Manchester derby with fans in the stadium the atmosphere was electric.

“I think everyone will still remember that one probably more so than any dark moments we’ve had. When Scott [McTominay] scored that winning goal in extra time, it was a special moment.

“We know it’s a one-off game, it’s one of those you have to start on the front foot, start ready, because a lot of it depends who gets on the front foot.”

A break from the club canteen

In the build-up to the game, the Man United squad enjoyed a team bonding session at Cibo Hale, an Italian restaurant, and Solskjaer was asked why the players decided to meet up as a group ahead of the Manchester derby.

“The team is very close together and they know they need each other, it’s team bonding, and the team spirit is important,” he said.” We’ve got a great canteen up here as well, but they’re [the players] probably fed up of Mike’s [the chef’s] food.”