Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can’t wait to renew hostilities with Leeds as the two old rivals meet in the Premier League for the first time in nearly 17 years at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Solskjaer played the last time United met Leeds in February 2004 before relegation cast the Yorkshire club into the football wilderness three years after reaching the Champions League semi-finals.
The fixture was one of the most fiercely contested in the English calendar, and Solskjaer played his part for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. In the 2001-02 season, he came off the bench to score a late equaliser at Old Trafford and then hit two in a 4-3 win at Elland Road. He was also on target in a 3-2 United win in 1998.
As he prepares to lock horns with Marcelo Bielsa’s team as a manager, the United boss said: ‘I can’t wait. It’s been too long, of course. I know how much it means for our supporters and our club.
‘It’s a different type of Leeds coming up with the coach that has really done a great job with them and will test us to the limit.
‘There were some fiery games with tackles flying in and players from both teams who were winners. We had a few fights, of course. Elland Road wasn’t the quietest place when we came off the coach walking into the stadium, put it that way.
‘There are loads of good memories. I enjoyed scoring two goals in a win at Elland Road. I came on as a sub (at Old Trafford) and it was a header at the back stick from a cross from Giggsy headed back to the other side.
‘They were two good teams back in the day. I liked the build-up to the games and the quality they had tested us as a team as well.
‘Sunday is a massive game. We have been waiting for years and we will be ready for it.’
United will make a late check on Edinson Cavani who has missed the last three games with a groin strain and could miss at least three more if he is found guilty of misconduct over a social media post.
‘We’ve spoken to Edinson about it,’ said Solskjaer. ‘He’s apologised and he hopes his mistake isn’t going to be costly.
‘We know it wasn’t meant in a malicious way. He’s explained there are cultural and linguistic differences.
‘He’s still working on his fitness. He’s very meticulous in his rehab work and has not felt right. He couldn’t play against Sheffield United so let’s see how he feels in the last training session.’
Solskjaer will have to plot a careful path through a busy Christmas programme with five games in the space of 12 days. Players will have to be rested and that could involve breaking up the first-choice centre-back pairing of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
‘Victor and Harry have been very consistent but they might come to a point where they have to rest,’ said Solskjaer.
‘Harry played the most minutes in European football last season, and I think he’s enjoying playing. Victor is maturing, growing and getting more used to the demands of the Premier League.
‘Eric (Bailly) and Axel (Tuanzebe) have had small injuries but they’re available for us for Leeds I hope. Let’s see what we do.’
Saturday marks the second anniversary since Solskjaer returned to United as caretaker boss before landing the job on a permanent basis.
He admits there is still work to be done and joked that the stresses of the role have taken their toll on his appearance.
‘I hate talking about what I’ve done and where we’re at,’ he added. ‘I don’t enjoy that bit. I always look forward and I know there’s a lot of work to be done still to get to the standard and level I want. That’s what we’re working in every single day.
‘I’ve really enjoyed these two years, even though games like the Sheffield United one make my hair turn even greyer very quickly!’