UNITED NOT TOO BIG FOR ME SAYS OLE

never felt the United job was too big a challenge for him.

“No, I’ve never felt it’s too big for me,” said Solskjaer. “I’m confident in what we’re trying to do and I’m confident in my staff and what’s happening here every single day.

“The coaching, the improvement, is there to see for us but it’s about results – start winning games, start scoring goals.

“We need to create more chances, because at the back we’ve looked solid.”

Despite their bleak run, Solskjaer claimed the mood at United is upbeat and the squad is improving under him – even if results suggest the team is going backwards. “Of course there’s been loads of players away, but the mood here remains good,” he said.

“We’ve come a long way on what you call the culture, the environment we’re working in, and it’s a positive one. It’s working towards something.

“The staff and players know when it’s Liverpool coming up. It’s a game that’s going to be watched by so many.

“When you sign for United, this is the first one you look forward to.

“It’s always been a big fixture and it’s a chance for them to – as I did a couple of times – get in the history books, because if you can score a winner against Liverpool that’s always going to be there with them.”

There was though some good news for Solskjaer last night when teenage sensation Mason Greenwood signed a new contract (above).

The 18-year-old forward has penned a long-term deal worth around £25,000-a-week that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2023.

But United will be without Paul Pogba, who is still recovering from a foot injury, for the Liverpool match, and doesn’t expect goalkeeper David De Gea, injured playing for Spain, to be ready either.

The Norwegian claimed he was unconcerned by Mirror Sport’s picture of Pogba meeting with Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane (left).

Pogba, who wants to leave and is targeted by Real, was pictured talking to Zidane by a swimming pool in Dubai, where the midfielder is recovering from a foot injury.

France World Cup winner Pogba’s United future is still uncertain, with Zidane desperate to bring his compatriot to Real next year after failing to land him with a summer bid.

But Solskjaer claimed not to be bothered by the meeting and said Pogba remains central to his long-term plans.

“When you’re at Manchester United you do get pictures, speculation,” said Solskjaer. “I don’t have a problem with that.

“I’ve not heard Paul say he doesn’t want to be here. Paul is part of our plan going forward and he knows that. I’ve spoken to him so many times.

“He’s been playing through the pain barrier and he’s been criticised left, right and centre.

“But he’s on the way back, he’s mending, he’s recovering.”