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Solskjaer doesn't care what Liverpool think about him playing weakened team

  /  autty

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he isn't concerned what Liverpool and their manager Jurgen Klopp think about him fielding a weakened team against Leicester.

Solskjaer made 10 changes for Manchester United's defeat at Old Trafford on Tuesday night that saw Leicester move nine points ahead of Liverpool in the battle for a Champions League place.

The United boss is expected to recall his first-team regulars at home to Liverpool on Thursday night in a fixture that was re-arranged due to the violent protests at Old Trafford 10 days ago.

Victory over Klopp's side would almost certainly kill off Liverpool's Champions League hopes, and raise more questions on Merseyside over Solskjaer's selection policy.

But the Norwegian maintains that he had no choice but to rotate players for four games in eight days, and isn't worried about the reaction from Klopp and the Liverpool fans.

He said: 'My job is Man United and my concern is the Man United fans – what they think about my team, what they want from my team and that we come together as one and show what Man United is.'

Having given teenage wingers Amad Diallo and Anthony Elanga their Premier League debuts against Leicester, Solskjaer confirmed that he will rotate again as United look to cement second place behind Manchester City and prepare for the Europa League final against Villarreal in two weeks time.

'There'll be changes, of course,' he added. 'But many of the players that played against Leicester did really well, so they're in contention as well.

'It's about managing the squad now, building momentum and confidence, making sure we get enough points to get second and then going into the final confident.'

Solskjaer brought on a number of senior players against Leicester to try to salvage the game and prevent City from being crowned champions.

It included in-form striker Edinson Cavani, who has scored eight goals in as many games, and Solskjaer expects the Uruguay striker to be even more influential next season after signing a 12-month contract extension.

'I think we've seen the last few months what we can expect and what we want from him,' said the United boss.

'Next season he'll come ready, he'll be fit when he comes in pre-season. This year he had seven months of no football to catch up, which is not easy and he's had a couple of niggles because of that.

'He comes in every day and does everything right. The boys look at him. He gives us a No.9 position. I don't know how many games we'll get out of him, but he's one of the best No.9s in the world at the moment.'