Manchester United vs Manchester City preview – team news, press conference quotes and predictions!

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1074604018,1141519827 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United (L) and Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City. Manchester United and Manchester City meet in a Premier League fixture on April, 24, 2019 at Old Trafford in Manchester. ***LEFT IMAGE*** CARDIFF, WALES - DECEMBER 22: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Interim Manager of Manchester United looks on before the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Manchester United at Cardiff City Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 09: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 09, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1074604018,1141519827 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United (L) and Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City. Manchester United and Manchester City meet in a Premier League fixture on April, 24, 2019 at Old Trafford in Manchester. ***LEFT IMAGE*** CARDIFF, WALES - DECEMBER 22: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Interim Manager of Manchester United looks on before the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Manchester United at Cardiff City Stadium on December 22, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 09: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 09, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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What did the manager have to say before the game?

In his pre-match press conference, Solskjaer was asked if he has thought about why his side were so poor against Everton. He responded:

"“Yeah, of course. [I’ve] been here now for about four months and it’s been a great four months, learning all the time, still with the same focus of thinking and planning forward, how do we get back to where Manchester United want to be, the identity and the standards, professionalism we’ve set. “Then games like the Everton one happen and the response has to be there. You have to try and provoke or inspire a reaction and we haven’t had time to work on the pitch because you need recovery at this stage of the season, so it’s about changing mindsets and making sure heads are ready.” [MEN]"

The Norwegian was also asked about what kind of challenge he is expecting from City, replying:

"“We’ve got to be ready for the press, for their pressing, so we’ve got to defend well, got to be ready for their aggression. They will snap at your heels and ankles and and kick you. They won’t allow us easy counter attacking. There will be fouls, absolutely no doubt about it, and when you watch those games, they commit so many players forward.” [MEN]"