Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can’t wait for ‘special’ Old Trafford return as Manchester United manager in front of ‘best fans in the world’

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can’t wait for ‘special’ Old Trafford return as Manchester United manager in front of ‘best fans in the world’
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cannot wait to lead Manchester United out at Old Trafford for the first time on Boxing Day as he aims to bring the feelgood factor back to the club.Having been parachuted in as caretaker manager for the rest of the season, the fan favourite got the post-Jose Mourinho era off to a dream start with a 5-1 victory at Cardiff City.3

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates Manchester United’s victory at Cardiff

United ran amok at Solskjaer’s former club Cardiff, as they netted five goals in a Premier League match for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in May 2013.Boxing Day offers an opportunity to secure another exciting win as struggling Huddersfield arrive at Old Trafford for a match that will leave the Norwegian pinching himself as he manages “back home” in the hotseat.

---

Classic Premier League Boxing Day fixtures, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham

---

“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.“I was sat next to Rene Meulensteen in a reserve-team game once as a coach, second half, and I was there with Cardiff. But, of course, it will be special.”3

Jesse LIngard and Anthony Martial celebrate the Frenchman’s goal against Cardiff in the 5-1 win

Solskjaer is looking to become just the fifth manager in United’s history to kick off their reign with back-to-back league wins – a result that would provide another timely shot in the arm.United have 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. “You know you’re going to play in front of the best fans in the world.“Confidence is not something you store into the fridge and pick out.“You earn it by your performances, by your training, how you feel. Hopefully this gave them a boost, so I’m happy and looking forward to Boxing Day.”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 1999.3

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes an emotional return to Old Trafford on Boxing Day

But there were rough patches and periods of criticism from onlookers and pundits – something that got under the skin of predecessor Mourinho during his tenure.A number of Solskjaer’s former team-mates were among the most outspoken critics, but the Norwegian will not baulk at comments made by the likes of Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville.“Don’t worry, Gary will be really hard on me,” he said, smiling. “I sat next to him in the dressing room for 11 years. He was next to me and you know Gary!“He’s paid now to give his opinion and of course he should do. I’m no different to anyone else.“I’m no different to any other manager when you lead that team out onto the pitch. It comes with a responsibility but my job is to get the players enjoying themselves.” There was no need to worry about negative comments at Cardiff as United played with style and purpose – perhaps even raising expectations of what Solskjaer can achieve.“You can never set the bar too high,” he said. “They’re setting the standard. The players who play for this club have high standards to live up to.“Today, it’s not like they were outperforming themselves.“We want to look at this game. We’ll evaluate, look at a few clips and as I said earlier we can better, we can understand each other better.”Few expect the air of positivity at United to dissipate on Boxing Day, when Solskjaer will be welcomed by the ’20LEGEND’ banner that has been put back up at Old Trafford.“They’re the best fans in the world,” he added. “Of course, I have my history at the club and to see that banner is special.“I just hope in the next five months I’ll do a good enough job for them to keep singing my name.”

---

Dani Alves has become the most successful footballer in history following Paris Saint-Germain's title triumph on Sunday evening. The Brazilian, 36, has now accumulated an astonishing 42 trophies in his 20-year strong career.
PSG star Dani Alves becomes most successful player in

---

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has ended speculation over his future at the club by signing a new contract until 2023. The 29-year-old has been a fixture in Madridâ s first team since his arrival at the club from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2014, but he had been linked with a summer exit.

---

Every Premier League club's run-in ranked - from hardest to easiest with three games to go Written by: fpnews Posted on: April 22, 2019 The Premier League season is 91 per cent completed but the remaining games still have so much riding on them.
Every Premier League team's run-in revealed - from hardest to

---

Championship play-offs: Derby winger Tom Lawrence escapes diving ban and WILL be available for Leeds semi-final clashes Tuesday, 7 May 2019 Derby's play-off hopes have been given a major boost after the FA ruled winger Tom Lawrence will not be charged with diving.
Derby vs Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa reveals his players will NOT

---

David de Gea has lost his form for Man United and has been slated in Spanish press for losing grip on national team's No 1 shirt but there is still a glimmer of hope in Real Madrid move. David

---

Chelsea winger Willian believes Callum Hudson-Odoi will become 'one of the best players' over the next few seasons and rates him so highly he has even told the youngster he wants to be his agent.
Maurizio Sarri: 'Callum Hudson-Odoi is ready. He can play

---

Brendan Rodgers has been spotted walking through the King Power Stadium after verbally agreeing to join Leicester from Celtic. The former Liverpool and Swansea boss, was linked with the position since Claude Puel was sacked on Sunday, following the Foxes' 4-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace. 7 Rodgers will return to the Premier League for…
Rodgers Archives - SportsAlert

---

Real Madrid capture Chelsea star Eden Hazard on a five-year deal. Real Madrid have signed Eden Hazard from Chelsea on a five-year contract. The 28-year-old will be officially unveiled on Thursday, June 13, once he has undergone his medical. Credit: PA - Press Association STUDIO Duration: 01:47 Published 11 hours ago

---

Sol Campbell got his first win as Macclesfield Town boss courtesy of a 2-0 victory against Crawley Town. Former England international Campbell was appointed at the end of November and has been
Sol Campbell Speaks After First Win As Macclesfield Boss

---

Tottenham Hotspur turns the tie on its head by beating Ajax on away goals in the dying seconds of injury time to reach the Champions League final, where it will face Liverpool in an all-Premier
Articles by Joe Moore | The Washington Post, HuffPost United

---

leaps and bounds The Anfield chief has reached two European finals with Liverpool but has lost both of them Jurgen Klopp has hailed Liverpool's development in European competition ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Porto. The Reds, who beat their Portuguese opponents 5-0 on aggregate in the last-16 stage of last season's
'We are on fire': Jürgen Klopp hails Liverpool ahead of

---

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard revealed Alfredo Morelos has accepted a club fine for picking up a fifth red card of the season in Sunday's Old Firm derby against Celtic at Parkhead. The Colombian saw red for an off-the-ball elbow on Hoops skipper Scott Brown in the Gers' 2-1 defeat and will now miss the next four games through suspension.
News list for alfredo morelos accepts fine after receiving

---

VERDICT The former Crystal Palace owner says the clubs should have agreed a deal to allow the boss to finish the campaign in Scotland before joining the Foxes Brendan Rodgers is WRONG to leave Celtic and become the new manager of Leicester City at this stage of the season, according to talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan.…
~ Brendan Rodgers: Celtic manager spotted at King Power

---

Rangers will have to wait until Thursday before discovering if Alfredo Morelos has any disciplinary charges to answer from Saturday's win over Celtic at Ibrox. Rangers forced to wait on
Rangers star Alfredo Morelos facing extended wait over

---