OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER lit the fuse ahead of today’s Manchester derby by saying: We’re STILL the biggest club in the world.
The Red Devils will lock horns with ‘noisy neighbours’ City in a lunchtime blockbuster at Old Trafford.
And boss Solskjaer said: “We are Manchester United – we are always going to come back.
“We are the No 1 club in Manchester and that probably means in the world.”
With five titles in the last ten years, Premier League champions City can claim to have knocked United off their perch.
But that is only seven crowns compared to United’s 20 – while the Red Devils have lifted three European Cups as well.
Asked if he can see bitter rivals City ever catching up, Solskjaer said: “No, I can’t.
“But you have to respect what they have done in the last ten years, or even more so in the last four or five years, with how dominant they have been in England and Europe.”
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Solskjaer boasts a decent record against rival boss Pep Guardiola.
He has won four, lost three and drawn one – and is the only manager to have faced him at least four times and won more than he has lost.
United beat Tottenham 3-0 away and drew 2-2 at Atalanta over the last seven days.
But their last game at Old Trafford ended in a humiliating 5-0 thumping by Liverpool.
Solskjaer, whose side sit fifth in the table with Manchester City third, said: “We have taken flak and we deserved it.
“It was nowhere near good enough on many levels against Liverpool.
“There is no point me talking about how much that we have learned.
“We have to show it. There’s too many that talk a good game. We will have to play a good game.”
Defeat against City would ramp up pressure on Solskjaer again.
But he said: “From when I stepped in the door in 2018, there has been speculation.
“You do not expect an easy ride when you become United manager – and that is how it is.”
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