Jose Mourinho returns to Old Trafford on Wednesday, almost exactly one year after being sacked by Manchester United.
His successor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, could soon go the same way as the Portuguese, with reports claiming he is under real pressure and could lose his job if United lose to Spurs and Man City this week.
Mourinho’s Tottenham are the Red Devils’ first opponents, clashing at Old Trafford tomorrow evening, before United head to the Etihad on Saturday to face Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions.
Simon Jordan can't believe Manchester United are sticking with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
While City are struggling for form right now and are clearly beatable, United come up against a Tottenham side rejuvenated since Mourinho’s appointment.
Spurs have won all three of their matches since Jose replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the White Hart Lane dugout and he will want revenge over his former employers, but Solksjaer doubts his players will be more motivated to beat their ex-boss.
“I don’t think whoever the manager of opposition team is will change motivation,” said Solskjaer. “They are motivated to do well for Manchester United.
“They know it’s about improving every day in training and stepping on that pitch to be part of this long-term. When you put the shirt on you’ve gotta give it your all.
“The boys are a bit disappointed after Sunday, after the game. But now all eyes are on Wednesday night.”
Solskjaer has allegedly told his squad that he could be sacked depending on United’s results against Spurs and City, but he blasted these reports as ‘blatant lies’.
“I’m good,” he added on his position at Old Trafford. “There are absolutely no problems.
“Sometimes you laugh when you read stories about what I’ve said. At least I know the sources are just made up – blatant lies.”
Solskjaer also discussed other topics during his press conference, and you can read the best bits, below…
“We will see how they are. I am not going to say yes or no. But it is touch and go with a couple, so we will have to give them a training session today and see how they are.
“Of course, Sunday is also still in people’s heads so it is not going to be a hard session, but we will have a good team out.
“Paul’s not ready. He’s still a bit away but he’s working hard so let’s see. He’s out on the grass, so let’s see how long it will take.”
“We’ve had too many draws for my liking and defeats of course, but draws we should have turned into wins and football is a results business.
“I’m not happy and know we can do better, and we are working hard. The work is always geared on us improving but we’re not getting all the results we’ve deserved.”
“We speak all the time so it’s not knee jerk – ‘suddenly now we need to talk’. We speak a few times every week so it’s continually progressing, the plans we’ve put in place, the rebuilding we know we started.
“We made some decisions that were necessary and now of course we’re not happy where we are, but we will continue working.”
Check out all the live commentaries coming up across our network this week…
“It doesn’t make me more concerned. I’m just focusing on my job and that’s doing as well as I can, looking forward to the next game, but also look long term, plan things with board.
“It’s that time of year; it’s never nice to see your colleagues lose your jobs, three in a very short space of time. Some of them, you can talk about this VAR all day long.
“I don’t know what the reasons are behind the sackings at different clubs, but one result – Southampton vs Watford – with the handball, and we’re talking about something completely different.”
“He’ll get a very good reception, that’s just a testament to this club and these supporters. Remember two-and-a-half years, won trophies. I’m 100 per cent sure our fans, staff ans club will welcome him.”
Saturday is GameDay on talkSPORT as we bring you THREE live Premier League commentaries across our network
Click Here: Kenzo Women’s New Collection