MX23RW : Friday, February 15 20:03:48

Solskjaer relishing a return to 'special' Old Trafford nights

Solskjaer relishing a return to 'special' Old Trafford nights
© Reuters
An injury-hit Paris St Germain are Manchester United's next test.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking forward to the sort of big European night Old Trafford has been missing of late when Manchester United face Paris St Germain on Tuesday night.

Few gave United much of a chance in this fixture when the draw was made in December, but Solskjaer has transformed the atmosphere around the club with 10 wins and one draw in 11 matches, and there is now a huge sense of anticipation about this Champions League clash.

"The players and the supporters have been looking forward to this," Solskjaer said. "These nights are special."

  1. Cardiff 1 - 5 Man Utd
  2. Man Utd 3 - 1 Huddersfield
  3. Man Utd 4 - 1 Bournemouth
  4. Newcastle 0 - 2 Man Utd
  5. Man Utd 2 - 0 Reading
  6. Tottenham 0 - 1 Man Utd
  7. Man Utd 2 - 1 Brighton
  8. Arsenal 1 - 3 Man Utd
  9. Man Utd 2 - 2 Burnley
  10. Leicester 0 - 1 Man Utd
  11. Fulham 0 - 3 Man Utd

They are the sort of games Solskjaer was used to in his United playing career under Sir Alex Ferguson.

"My last one was when we beat Roma 7-1 (in 2007)," he said. "That was a typical Old Trafford night. We'd lost 2-1 away from home but the manager was happy. He said, 'We'll be alright, we'll win at home', he was so confident in our ability.

"I want my players to go into this game with confidence and embrace it."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has fine pedigree in Europe with Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has fine pedigree in Europe with Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA)

With the PSG game followed by an FA Cup clash against Chelsea and a Premier League meeting with title challengers Liverpool, Solskjaer can further strengthen his credentials to land the Old Trafford job full-time over the next two weeks.

The impact he has had makes him the favourite already, and the Norwegian admits his caretaker spell has gone better than expected so far.

"Before I came in of course I couldn't (expect this)," he said. "You always expect to win every game of football when you have players like this and you're at a club like this but we know we're not going to win every single game.

The current Old Trafford boss has impressed in his short time at the helm
The current Old Trafford boss has impressed in his short time at the helm (Martin Rickett/PA)

"I think the players are still disappointed with the two points lost against Burnley and so am I.

"I've loved every single minute of it. We knew we had a big challenge in front of us because we were far behind in the league, confidence was low after the defeat to Liverpool but they have responded fantastically.

"I don't think we could be in a better frame of mind and we're looking forward to the next few games."


Click here for more stories about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Thomas Tuchel at a PSG press conference on February 11, 2019
Read Next:
Thomas Tuchel prepared for '50-50' tie with Manchester United
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
2Liverpool26205159154465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs26200654252960
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd26156552351751
5Arsenal26155653371650
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2611693433139
8Watford2610793434037
9Everton2796123639-333
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2696113239-733
11Bournemouth26103133747-1033
12Leicester CityLeicester2695123134-332
13Crystal Palace2676132734-727
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
15Burnley2676132947-1827
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2667132234-1225
17Cardiff CityCardiff2674152447-2325
18Southampton2659122844-1624
19Fulham2645172558-3317
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2625191448-3411

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account