Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

'I want to build a side worthy of United's history'

Friday 22 February 2019 09:00

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists it is all a case of a work in progress at Manchester United at the moment, but he has made it clear what he expects of his players in the big showdown with Liverpool.

Nothing stirs the United fans more than a contest against our arch-rivals from Merseyside and the fact Liverpool are challenging for their first-ever Premier League title only adds extra spice to the occasion.

With Ole's side again showing their capabilities in a fabulous 2-0 victory against Chelsea, ending a spell of seven years without a win at Stamford Bridge, the stage is set for a titanic tussle with Jurgen Klopp's men this weekend.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on Jesse and Anthony ahead of Sunday's clash with Liverpool.

"For them, it's a big game," he said. "For us, it's a big game. We want to be among the top four. We're playing Liverpool and we know how big that is for Manchester United, for the staff, for the supporters. We're just looking forward to another challenge for this team.

"We want to build this team where it's worthy of Manchester United's history. It's another step on if we can do that home. Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea, away, it was fantastic to win those three away games but now we need to perform at home as well.

"It's not about pride. I feel we've taken a few steps in the right direction in that process of becoming what we want to become - that we are a team that challenges higher up the league. Onto the next one, because I never look back. I just want to see forward."

Ole is not getting involved in discussing the title race, with Tottenham Hotspur outsiders to overtake Manchester City and Liverpool at the Premier League summit.

”I’m not really focusing on the teams and what they're doing,” he said. “I'm focusing on us and what we have to do to get to where we want to be. It's a three-horse race at the top and it's a three-horse race to the fourth position, so that's more my focus, but now it's, of course, this game. Do I want Spurs to win the title? I don’t really get involved in that. Maybe!”

United lost 3-1 at Anfield in the corresponding fixture earlier in the campaign.

United's caretaker manager accepts Liverpool represent a tough challenge - they have lost only once in the league all season - but he feels his opposite number, Klopp, should also be expecting a real examination of their own credentials.

"We know we're in for a very tough game," he added. "They've been fantastic this season. They will know as well, to come to Old Trafford should be difficult. I think they pay us respect and we will pay them respect. It's a team full of good players."

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