Solskjaer: We're going there to get a result
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to draw on Manchester United's success against the top teams this season, as the Reds prepare to face Manchester City on Saturday.
United are unbeaten in games against teams who sit above us in the Premier League so far this season, and the boss, who spoke to the media in his pre-match press conference on Friday, is going into our fixture against Pep Guardiola's side with the aim of picking up another derby-day win.
"It's a chance for us to challenge them and bridge that gap a little bit, so we're going there to win," the Norwegian said. "We're going there to get a result, even though we know it's going to be difficult."
Ole: We're confident and motivated for derby day
The boss began his press conference by discussing how confident and motivated United feel ahead of derby day...
The Reds began the league campaign with a 4-0 triumph against fourth-placed Chelsea, before returning with a point from Wolverhampton Wanderers, who sit directly above us in the table, in our first away match.
Marcus Rashford's spot-kick saw us run out victorious against high-flying Leicester City at Old Trafford, while Solskjaer's side became the only team to take points off Liverpool so far, as we drew 1-1 with the Merseysiders in October.
Despite our good run of form against the teams at the top, Ole is hoping that the element of surprise will work in United's fixture when we make the journey across the city to face our local rivals.
"I don't want to put any feelings into any other teams or managers. We might not want them to be scared of us. We want them to be arrogant and confident.
“As a player you don't have to shout the loudest to throw the sucker punch. So it's not about shouting the loudest, it's about doing the talking on the pitch.”
Solskjaer's praise for red-hot Rashford
"On Wednesday night Marcus was unbelievable and we hope to see that again," said Ole at the top table...
The Norwegian also provided an injury update on Paul Pogba, who famously spearheaded an extraordinary comeback for the Reds in our last win at the Etihad Stadium in April 2018. Paul has been ruled out of the clash by Ole, who has called for patience as the midfielder steps up his recovery.
"Paul is going to play when he gets his fitness. He's one of the best players in the world when he's in form and we just need to give him time to be 100 per cent fit.
“It might be 45 minutes in the first game, it might be half an hour, it might be 90. It depends on what game he comes back in and I'm looking back to get Paul back to where I had him about a year ago.”
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