Derby Presser

Paul Pogba will miss tomorrow's Manchester derby with the thigh injury that has kept him out since September.

But Anthony Martial could be on the bench for United's trip to Etihad Stadium.

"I hope Paul will be back as soon as possible," said Solskjaer.

"He's out on the grass training. I said in 2019 so hopefully before the new year."
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United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has now spoken to the media before the Manchester derby.

He said: "Manchester derbies are always special games but you can't say it matters more... for the fans, of course. We're up for it. The fans are were fantastic at home and I'm sure we'll hear them on Saturday."

Asked if United are a better team than in April when they last faced City, Solskjaer added: "Confidence is a strange thing in football. You can get performances and results like Wednesday night and it boosts it so much and I know our boys will be up for it. Energy-wise, we should be fine. We have 24 hours less recovery time but that shouldn't matter. We'll go on adrenaline.

"Yesterday was a recovery day, they were tired, and today's another preparation day. I expect them to have had a good night's sleep and the smiles are back on their faces."
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United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking forward to the Manchester derby - although he recalls the days when City were playing in the third tier of the English game.

City were relegated from the Premier League the same summer that Solskjaer signed for United in 1996 and did not return to the top flight until 2000.

"At least we play every year now," he said. "It took many years before I played a Manchester derby myself.

"Manchester City are a better team now than when I was playing and football has changed quite a lot. Then we were allowed a few more proper tackles. Now with every little angle and everything being scrutinised it's more of a technical, tactical game than a physical or mental one. A derby should be played as a derby. We don't play basketball and we're ready if that happens."
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Editors need to understand their power - Smalling
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also asked about the headline in Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport on Thursday.

Inter Milan's former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku said the 'Black Friday' headline is "one of the dumbest" he has seen, while Roma's Chris Smalling condemned it as "wrong and insensitive".

The headline accompanied pictures of Lukaku and Smalling, who is on loan from United, prior to Friday's match between their two sides.

"You guys keep fuelling the negativity and the racism issue," Lukaku tweeted.

Smalling urged the newspaper's editors to "understand the power they possess".
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'Worst front page I've ever seen'

It is fair to say that Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not impressed by the 'Black Friday' headline that has attracted such condemnation.

"See the paper? Wow! Really? Is that possible? It is the worst front page I have ever seen. We have been in touch with Chris to let him know we back him. And Romelu."
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'They're arguably the best team in England'

Manchester United

Three of Manchester United's five Premier League wins this season have come against Chelsea, Leicester and Tottenham but now boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reckons United are facing maybe their toughest test all season.

"We're going away against arguably the best team in England," he said. "It will be a difficult game but we need consistency. Before everyone was doom and gloom but it's a chance to turn that doubt into belief and if we can manage to get another performance, the confidence, the way we played against Tottenham, then we can come out of it with a result.

"People say 'why do you not have better results in other games' but the Premier League is hard, no matter who you play. It's margins. I think it's a compliment to the league. You've got City, Liverpool and Leicester being consistent but the other games are really tight."
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'Rashford's scoring consistently now'

And finally from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer...the Manchester United boss was asked if the challenge for striker Marcus Rashford is now to be a prolific Premier League scorer like Sergio Aguero, Jamie Vardy and Ruud van Nistelrooy?

"He is doing that at the moment," Solskjaer said. "He's doing it consistently now, scoring 10 in the last 11, but it's not like four in one and two or three without. It's not just in spurts but he's consistently getting chances, and into better positions, and on Wednesday night he was unbelievable. I hope to see that again."