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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists he can handle the pressure of managing Manchester United.
The attention on Solskjaer’s work at Old Trafford has intensified after his exit from the Champions League at the hands of RB Leipzig
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But ahead of another crucial clash against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday, Solskjaer says he still believes he is the right man.
“There is always pressure on you when you manage Man United,” Solskjaer told a news conference on Friday.
“That’s something I had to think about when I accepted the role. Do I have what it takes to be in a situation like this? Can you handle setbacks? Can you handle success? I think I can.”
Solskjaer will be boosted before the derby by his record against his City counterpart Pep Guardiola.
The Norwegian led his team to three wins out of four last season, including a 2-0 win at Old Trafford in their last meeting in March.
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Paul Pogba is in the squad after coming on as a substitute in the second half during the 3-2 loss to RB Leipzig and amid doubts about his long-term future, Solskjaer says the Frenchman is focused on United.
“I think I said during the week that this is a team game and Paul is part of this team,” he said. “He’s hungry and hungry to play and wants to play. He wants to train and he trains.
“There have been other players who refuse to train and refuse to play, they are no longer here, of course, but Paul hasn’t done it once.
“He just concentrates on acting when he gets the chance. That’s the great thing about Paul. He has the quality and the desire to do well when he comes in, like he did against Leipzig. He had a positive impact.”
Despite the whirlwind of speculation about Solskjaer’s position after the Champions League exit, United reach one point and one place above City in the standings at the weekend.
He is one of the few coaches to have a positive record against Guardiola and the City manager says he is impressed with the work Solskjaer has done on the other side of Manchester.
“For me, he is an exceptional coach,” Guardiola said. “I can’t say much because I’m not in the dressing room, but how he managed the team and how he represents United around the world.
“I know, Ole knows, everyone knows it depends on the results, but I have a great opinion about his work at United.”
Source: espn.co.uk
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