Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted his priority is towards Manchester United and their fans as he dismissed concerns of a backlash from Liverpool over his weakened team selection in the Premier League defeat against Leicester.
A much-altered United lost 2-1 at Old Trafford on Tuesday as the Foxes moved back up to third, with goalscorer Mason Greenwood the only player to retain his starting role from the league win at Aston Villa on Sunday.
United host Liverpool in their fourth match in eight days on Thursday, live on Sky Sports, with Jurgen Klopp's side seven points adrift of Champions League qualification and four games left in their season.
Asked whether he was prepared for a reaction from Liverpool supporters and Jurgen Klopp, Solskjaer said: "My job is for Manchester United and my concern is the Manchester United fans.
"What they think about my team, what they want from my team and that we come together as one and show what Manchester United is."
The defeat confirmed Manchester City as Premier League champions and also ended United's 14-match unbeaten run in the league, which started after the surprise home defeat to Sheffield United on January 27.
Despite the result, Solskjaer said several of his starting line-up, which included Premier League debuts for Amad Diallo and Anthony Elanga, made a claim to be involved against Liverpool.
"There will be changes of course but many of the players that played tonight did really well, so they are in contention," the Norwegian added.
"It is about managing the squad now, building momentum, building confidence, making sure we get enough points to get second [in the Premier League] and making sure we go into the [Europa League] final with confidence."
Ole 'hopeful' Maguire will be fit for Europa League final
Harry Maguire will miss the remainder of the league season after United confirmed on Tuesday the defender sustained ankle ligament damage in the weekend win against Aston Villa.
The United captain is an injury doubt for the Europa League final against Villarreal on May 26, with Solskjaer "hopeful" the 28-year-old, previously an ever-present in the league, will be fit for the showpiece in Gdansk.
Asked whether he was concerned England's Maguire may wish to prove his fitness ahead of this summer's Euros, Solskjaer replied: "You always try and look after players long term.
"If he is fit, he will play for us, if he is not, he won't but we are hopeful that he will be ready and if he is ready for us then he will probably be ready for the Euros."
Ole pleased to retain Cavani next season
Meanwhile, Solskjaer is excited by what Edinson Cavani can provide at Old Trafford next season after he signed a one-year contract extension until June 2020 on Monday.
"We have seen the last few months what we can expect and what we have wanted from him," the Norwegian said.
"Next season he will come ready, he will be fit when he comes pre-season.
"Last year he had seven months of not playing football to catch up on and that is not easy. He has had a couple of niggles because of that.
"He comes in every day does everything right. The boys will look at him. He gives us a No 9 position. I don't know how many games we will get out of him but of course he is one of the best No 9s in the world at the moment."
LordVader
0
To show him a point hope Liverpool beat Man United on Thursday. He deliberately put a weaker team against Leicester so Liverpool could not be in the first 4.
Players need rest dumb dumb
daddyliverpool
0
indeed little boy, I have never seen seen also another team begging another for his promotion
hello united fans [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
oluwafestus
0
To show him a point hope Liverpool beat Man United on Thursday. He deliberately put a weaker team against Leicester so Liverpool could not be in the first 4.
just a rivalry game bro 🙄
oluwafestus
1
regardless of Ole says. Manu can not afford to lose a game against Liverpool. the riveraly is real and it's beyond just winning titles for the 2 teams. No manu manager would ever want to lose against Liverpool if the understand the history of the riveraly of the 2 sides.
ur Damm right 👍
yiecdmpruy
1
Blah, Blah, Blah: It's German meaning Klopp !!. Hey Jurgen football managers sometimes have to priorities certain games mean more than others you can't blame Ole for your 7th, position in the P/L, Utd fans given the choice they would rather lose to Leicester and most certainly win against Liverpool. Surely you must understand team selection
thank you for your comment but it does'nt hide the fact that Liverpool is the last club Utd want to lose to!! So it really was the correct choice to field a weaker side against Leicester
Partzee
1
Manchester united are in a different world of soccer, other clubs will be buying expensive players to make a name Manchester united buy cheap ones and still give them problems, I don't think pep can manage a team like wolves or Everton and win something, or building a team from scratch I don't think so,our team next season will be like this if possible, lingard, for Bruno, lindelof for varane, llorente for wan bissaka
Nico2121la
0
Blah, Blah, Blah: It's German meaning Klopp !!. Hey Jurgen football managers sometimes have to priorities certain games mean more than others you can't blame Ole for your 7th, position in the P/L, Utd fans given the choice they would rather lose to Leicester and most certainly win against Liverpool. Surely you must understand team selection
I would suggest first to listen what Klopp said before you write about but what can you expect from a United fan....
zesaeilu
0
He is More than useful than ur whole team
And your family too
yiecdmpruy
1
Blah, Blah, Blah: It's German meaning Klopp !!. Hey Jurgen football managers sometimes have to priorities certain games mean more than others you can't blame Ole for your 7th, position in the P/L, Utd fans given the choice they would rather lose to Leicester and most certainly win against Liverpool. Surely you must understand team selection
SuneetNair
0
It's their faults for dropping too many points, shows that ucl spots desperation on the field instead of crying for ole's team selection..
Well, they didn't whin for two seasons. It was due to happen. The fact that they are blaming Ole shows how pathetic this club is.
pawcilnuz
0
Ole must get back 9 points from left games for MU fans utmost now or Never again. Fans have full faith in d team and the results to come till 38 games b4 d Final EL Cup as a Gift.
zopcdlrs
1
All this is happening because of klopp playing fab as CB. BUT LIVERPOOL WILL PLAY UCL
SuneetNair
0
To show him a point hope Liverpool beat Man United on Thursday. He deliberately put a weaker team against Leicester so Liverpool could not be in the first 4.
Your own manager said he would have done the same thing. We had two games in the span of 48 hours any manager would have done the same thing. Any team would look weak if these many changes were made, except Man city perhaps who have two first teams. So stop crying about it. If you don't qualify for CL it's on you not US.
dinobronkx97
1
regardless of Ole says. Manu can not afford to lose a game against Liverpool. the riveraly is real and it's beyond just winning titles for the 2 teams. No manu manager would ever want to lose against Liverpool if the understand the history of the riveraly of the 2 sides.
best comment
Badhur
0
Ole is such a coward
Hubelmnprs
0
useless coach growing a big head now
He is More than useful than ur whole team
Hubelmnprs
0
nothing but a noise maker I've never seen a team celebrating possible 2nd position as if they won the league .
indeed little boy, I have never seen seen also another team begging another for his promotion
LFC11YNWA
0
pray to play europa next time out
I wonder man u qualifying for UCL but still as we all know they will knock out out group stage to play for Europa league[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
m_mop_718
0
Exactly bro ole has to look after Manchester United not any other club
are you serious or sarcastic
Roscenprst
0
if you had win all your matches you wouldn't be counting on us for favors,,, what did they expect? play the same players in 24 hours or play leicester with our first 11 and play them with our team B?
I mean Ole is Man United Coach not Liverpool, Leceister or West Ham coach he has to put his players health first not giving s*** about whether Liverpool or Leicester qualify for Champions league. I mean did he tell them to lose against teams like West brom, Fulham, Newcastle etc
Roscenprst
0
nothing but a noise maker I've never seen a team celebrating possible 2nd position as if they won the league .
And I've never seen a team playing Europa League next acting like treble winners
CheenaKaputu
6
regardless of Ole says. Manu can not afford to lose a game against Liverpool. the riveraly is real and it's beyond just winning titles for the 2 teams. No manu manager would ever want to lose against Liverpool if the understand the history of the riveraly of the 2 sides.
Cozabilrz
2
To show him a point hope Liverpool beat Man United on Thursday. He deliberately put a weaker team against Leicester so Liverpool could not be in the first 4.
vostoko
1
Since this post doesn't concern mie let mi tell u wat i dd today... I helped a 4 year old boy finish his ice cream and he was shedding tears 😭😭😭 of joy. Wow!
STUARTY
0
cry scousers cry...even we lose I'm happy that you all will not see ucl next year. after all don't call him stupid. he may have knocked you out of your ucl spot
Exactly bro ole has to look after Manchester United not any other club
Abrahamodeh2001
0
I see a fool talking
u don't have any sense at all
Abrahamodeh2001
0
Liverpool fans are begging man united to beat leicester city, but now we were defeated and now they are blaming us, why didn't they win their game in the first place
yesabdkmp
0
First they begged us to help them get top 4. When we do what any club would do to protect our players from injury, they acted like a spoilt brats blaming Ole for their $hit team's failure. Haha. Pathetic really.
I see a fool talking
bapcdnpryz
1
pray to play europa next time out
m_mop_718
2
cry scousers cry...even we lose I'm happy that you all will not see ucl next year. after all don't call him stupid. he may have knocked you out of your ucl spot
daddyliverpool
2
nothing but a noise maker I've never seen a team celebrating possible 2nd position as if they won the league .
zibdiopsty
0
useless coach growing a big head now
AmoGmanchester
0
wehh are you manager
descknstz
0
Liverpool have got nothing to do with our team selection just like Manchester United have got nothing to do with Liverpool team selection. So Mr Klop keep quiet.
wehh are you manager
AmoGmanchester
0
Liverpool have got nothing to do with our team selection just like Manchester United have got nothing to do with Liverpool team selection. So Mr Klop keep quiet.
Obk994
1
Probably what he wanted🤣 for Ole to field team B for him...😭🤣🤣
in their dreams
JentleVibez
0
if you had win all your matches you wouldn't be counting on us for favors,,, what did they expect? play the same players in 24 hours or play leicester with our first 11 and play them with our team B?
Probably what he wanted🤣 for Ole to field team B for him...😭🤣🤣
zomcdinuz
0
is not about big head ole what is meant to be will be up liverpool
The_Red_Devil
4
First they begged us to help them get top 4. When we do what any club would do to protect our players from injury, they acted like a spoilt brats blaming Ole for their $hit team's failure. Haha. Pathetic really.
Obk994
2
Excuse F.C at it again crying as usual 😂
Obk994
4
if you had win all your matches you wouldn't be counting on us for favors,,, what did they expect? play the same players in 24 hours or play leicester with our first 11 and play them with our team B?
Pasalnoz
3
that's not good for Ole's did yesterday
Manchesterisblue
4
It's their faults for dropping too many points, shows that ucl spots desperation on the field instead of crying for ole's team selection..
jackstance
4
We got your Excuse Before the match, no problem we don't need your favour, just focus on UEL, also 2nd finish in EPL