This weekend is all about the Mancunian derby. United visit City, in what may be the most unequal derby in a long time. A circumstance that doesn't seem to frighten the Red Devils coach.
Because Solskjaer even allowed himself the luxury of joking about the greatness achieved by his opponents in the last decade. "At least we play every year now",he said, remembering the times when United won the Premier League with City still being in the second tier of English football.
"It has nothing to do with when I was a player. They're much better," he added, referring to his experience in the derbies on the pitch and not on the sidelines.
He predicted a competitive derby despite everything. "It was allowed a few more proper tackles, but now, with every little angle, everything being scrutinised, it's more of a technical, tactical game than physical and mental. But don't forget it's not basketball. A derby is a derby," he explained.
And he did not hesitate to praise his rival. "We are going to the home of what is probably the best team in England and it will be difficult, but it is an opportunity to turn those doubts into certainties. If we win at the Etihad we will go with more than just a good result," said the Norwegian, to finish.