LONDON • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted he is still the right manager to deliver success at Manchester United despite last Sunday's shambolic 4-0 English Premier League defeat at Everton.
United produced their worst display under Solskjaer, who has overseen 25 matches in all competitions, initially as interim manager and then the permanent boss.
The Norwegian subsequently apologised to fans for his players' poor performance.
The loss was a huge blow to United's top-four hopes and left the team in sixth place on 64 points, two behind Arsenal who travel to Wolves today.
United will host rivals Manchester City at the same time and, when asked at a pre-match conference yesterday if he is the best person for United, Solskjaer said: "I would like to say yes, but it's not down to me to say that.
"I'm confident in my team and myself to take this challenge on. It's a big challenge and, when I came in here, I said I'm going to enjoy every single second.
"I don't like losing, but it's a challenge when you go through bad results. This is the way we're gonna do it and plan ahead."
Midfielder Paul Pogba had told Sky Sports that the way United played at Goodison Park was "disrespectful" to themselves, the club and the fans and that the team are looking to give everything on the pitch today.
However, City are on a 10-match winning streak in the league and Solskjaer has warned his men to expect an aggressive battle.
"We got to be ready for their pressing so we've got to defend well, got to be ready for aggression, they will snap at your heels and kick you," the 46-year-old said.
"There will be fouls, absolutely no doubt about it and, when you watch those games, they commit so many players forward.
10
Straight league wins by Man City.6
Losses from eight games in all competitions by Manchester United.
"They won't allow us easy counter-attacking.
"This is the best game we could ask for with players hurt, as they definitely were.
"We had a meeting after the (Everton) game and all the players were definitely disappointed and really hurt by that performance.
"The City game is the perfect one, there's no hiding place on the pitch and the fans will back you if you give that effort."
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Second-placed City, on 86 points, will reclaim top spot from leaders Liverpool (88) with a win today.
James Milner, who has played for three of United's fiercest rivals - Leeds, City and now Liverpool - in the course of a 17-year career, has said he will become a United fan for the first time today.
The 33-year-old explained that he would be delighted if United did Liverpool a favour by winning.
"First time in my life," he said when asked about his support for United this week.
"But I won't be watching. It's a bit of a waste of energy, willing the ball in the other goal."
Liverpool have never won the Premier League title and were last crowned champions of England when they lifted the old First Division trophy back in 1990.
Defender Virgil van Dijk, in his second season with Liverpool, also believes that United will put in a big performance and at the same time aid Liverpool's ambitions.
"United need to do themselves a favour. Everton is not easy to beat at home, but 4-0 is a big loss," the Dutchman said.
"We have no influence on that (the Manchester derby), but United are still playing for Champions League football and they need to get a (good) result."
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"At times we played really good football but it can, and it must be, a lot better on Sunday," said Van Dijk. "There were times where we did not put enough pressure on them and were sloppy and lost the ball. "Against Germany we can expect a completely different game and we all realise that. We know what we are capable of."
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