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Pochettino reveals he cheered on Solskjaer inside Nou Camp in 1999

  /  autty

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed the time he cheered a Manchester United goal scored by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pochettino and Toni Jimenez, now his goalkeeping coach at Tottenham, were in the Nou Camp for the Champions League final in 1999.

They went as neutral spectators but could not keep their emotions inside when Solskjaer scored in the final seconds to complete United's stunning late fight back against Bayern Munich.

'I was there when he scored,' said Pochettino. 'I was there with Toni Jimenez watching a fantastic game and how I shouted for a Manchester United goal was incredible.

'On Sunday we meet at Wembley but 20 years ago I was shouting for a goal he scored.'

Solskjaer has won his first five games as interim manager of Manchester United but the biggest test in his new role will come at Wembley against Spurs.

Pochettino's team are in fine form and the Argentine is United's top target as they search for a permanent successor to Jose Mourinho.

'You cannot be focused on the rumours,' said the Tottenham boss. 'Only to do our job in the best way. Manchester United will try to win. The motivation is going to be there.

'For him it's a massive motivation and challenge to manage Manchester United like it is for me to manage Tottenham. We are competitive. We love to win and hate to lose. No-one wants to lose.

'Always when Tottenham play Manchester United it's an exciting game and very competitive.

'They arrive in a good level, with good momentum. Of course, they have had more time to prepare, and they arrive from Dubai. If you have a clear week to work always it's different. It's nothing to say that they had an advantage.

'We were in Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea but we arrive in very good condition, fresh, ready to compete. We need to assess our players and make the right decisions.'