advertisement

Solskjaer tells United players to enjoy Old Trafford

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can't wait to lead Manchester United out at Old Trafford for the first time on Wednesday against relegation-threatened Huddersfield.

Having been parachuted in as caretaker manager for the rest of the season, the fan favorite got the post-Jose Mourinho era off to a dream start.

United ran amok at Solskjaer's former club Cardiff on Saturday, scoring five goals in a Premier League game for the first time since Alex Ferguson retired in May 2013 as it left the Welsh capital buoyed by a 5-1 win.

"Of course, you try to keep your emotion in check because I'm there to do a job, I've got to be focused," Solskjaer said.

"It's not easy, I don't think it will be easy, but I'm looking forward to it and I think the boys are looking forward to playing at Old Trafford.

"That's the key, we should be looking forward to playing there."

Solskjaer is looking to become just the fifth manager in United's history to start with back-to-back league wins.

Sixth-placed United has managed to win just five of 12 matches at Old Trafford in all competitions so far in this disappointing campaign, with the pressure appearing to be too much for players at times.

"That comes when you sign for Man United," Solskjaer said. "Confidence is not something you store into the fridge and pick out.

"You earn it by your performances, by your training, how you feel."

Solskjaer knows all about such pressure having represented United for 11 years as a player, with the pinnacle being his Champions League final winner that sealed the treble in 1999.

For "the best fans in the world," Solskjaer has one big wish: "I just hope in the next five months I'll do a good enough job for them to keep singing my name."

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives instructions to his players during the English Premier League match between Cardiff City and Manchester United at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, Saturday Dec. 22, 2018. (AP Photo/ Jon Super) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.