Ole: You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER’S smiley public image doesn’t always tally with the bad loser Manchester United players see behind closed doors.

Solskjaer heads to Stamford Bridge today, where he has a perfect record as United manager, with his side five points clear of Chelsea in their race for the top four.

The Norwegian has silenced critics who likened him to a PE teacher but still believes his competitive nature is underestimated.

Bruno Fernandes has earned comparisons with Roy Keane in his desire and irritation. Solskjaer keeps a placid poker face, which he says can be misleading.

‘If you are at Man United and enjoy losing, you’re at the wrong place,’ he said. ‘I don’t show my frustration maybe so much as

Bruno but I think maybe I’m the worst loser at the club. You’ve probably not seen it but some of the players have.’

Solskjaer doesn’t go out of his way to act tough but there is an inner steel about him that’s starting to be appreciated with United unbeaten away from home this season.

He backed Thomas Tuchel’s right to take off substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi last week.

‘Managers live by results and if you feel something has to change, you change it,’ said Solskjaer. ‘You have to make some tough decisions because at the end of the day it’s down to results, which are down to the manager. It doesn’t matter if it’s someone who has played 75 or 30 minutes.’

Having beaten Maurizio Sarri and Frank Lampard in three previous visits to Chelsea, Solskjaer now faces Tuchel, whom he’s met four times in the Champions League.

United famously beat PSG in the knockout stages in 2019 but Solskjaer knows his rival can spring a surprise.

‘I can’t remember if Thomas played the same way twice against us with PSG! He is one of those coaches who knows his football, is prepared for every game and opposition. We have to prepare for different scenarios.’

Edinson Cavani didn’t join in training before Thursday’s draw with Real Sociedad because of a muscular complaint and is unlikely to start. ‘He is one of those who wants to train really hard before he plays,’ said the manager.

It leaves Anthony Martial with another opportunity despite failing to score in 13 of his last 14 games. The Frenchman has received abuse, racial and otherwise, but Solskjaer says the player doesn’t read it.

‘ I’m 100 per cent confident that Anto doesn’t look through the social media, what people are saying about him,’ he said.

‘I have had discussions with him about the latest abuse he got, the racial abuse, and he had not seen it because he just focuses on himself, works hard.

‘He knows he is going through a difficult patch but he knows that he will come through it because he has the quality to.’