Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has called on Manchester United to have a ‘strong mindset’ against Liverpool this weekend and has confirmed that Bruno Fernandes is a doubt for the clash.
United host Liverpool on Sunday looking to address their indifferent recent form, the Red Devils having failed to win in their last three Premier League fixtures to slip adrift of the league leaders.
Liverpool are the league’s leading scorers and unbeaten in their last 21 games across all competitions, with Solskjaer anticipating a difficult test ahead of the visit of Jurgen Klopp’s side.
“Liverpool are in a great run of form and we have to have a strong mindset,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“We have to focus on Liverpool’s front three for 95 minutes to keep a clean sheet
“If we give Liverpool chances, they will score two, we cannot give them anything. I don’t agree with everyone who says we were awful on Wednesday [against Atalanta], they were clinical.”
This weekend’s meeting is the latest instalment in one of English football’s great rivalries, the nation’s two most successful sides meeting once again at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer admits the clash with Liverpool represents ‘a massive game’ for his side and insists the Red Devils must ‘give everything’ to secure a positive result this weekend.
“It is a fact that the history, rivalry and all the trophies make it a massive game,” he said.
“Being a Man United player, given the honour and responsibility to wear the shirt against Liverpool, you give everything you have.
“It is a massive game. It doesn’t need bigging up. The performance needs to consist of 90-plus minutes of attacking and defending.
“Liverpool are on a great run, they have some individuals skills you can’t defend against. It takes everything to get results against the best teams in Europe and Liverpool are one of those we are chasing. We are striving to go past them.”
Reports have suggested that Bruno Fernandes is a doubt for the game after being seen limping in training this week and Solskjaer has confirmed that the Portugal international is a doubt after picking up a knock during the win over Atalanta in midweek.
“Games like Wednesday night are always going to bring knocks and bruises and we do have two or three carrying knocks from that game. I’ll give everyone time, I hope I can pick from a fully fit squad, I might be without two or three. Bruno might be a doubt but he’s doing everything he can to be ready.”
