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Ole's priority is towards club amid possible Liverpool backlash

  /  autty

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."