Former Bluebirds manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has landed the ‘best job of his life’ says Neil Warnock.
Solskjaer’s first match in charge of Manchester United will be at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday and Warnock said: “It’s the best job he will have in his life.
“He can’t lose. He’ll hold the fort until the end of the season and if he does well, he’ll stay on for a couple of years.
“It’s a great club and we’re all expecting [Paul] Pogba, [Anthony] Martial or [Jesse] Lingard to be man of the match tomorrow.
“This is the worst time you could play them with so many people wanting to prove things.”
😄 First #MUFC press conference: ✅ pic.twitter.com/wQD9lmzZJL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 21, 2018
United’s squad has regained feel good factor thanks to Solskjaer, a hugely popular man among supporters, and will work to quickly build relationships with the likes of Pogba.
Jose Mourinho and Pogba both had the look of men unhappy with their lot and Warnock said: “The worst part in football management, I feel, is player power.
“It’s a terrible part of the game. It only happened to me twice, Palace and QPR. Certainly, I don’t have that problem here.
“It’s not nice for a manager. I remember one day not wanting to get out of bed because I didn’t want to go to training and be confronted by certain situations with one or two of the senior lads.
The team news from Ole's first press conference. #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 21, 2018
“It’s a horrible feeling so I’m fortunate in one way because my kind of players are solid, reliable and a bit more limited than the top players, but I’m glad I’ve had my time with good groups of lads.”
Solskjaer has made it clear he would love the Old Trafford job long term and Warnock said: “He knows the fans. Ole was amazing for them as a player, so he’s going to get a starter anyhow. I can’t see how he can lose.
“Worst comes to worst, they finish where they are now and he goes back home.
“Everybody seems to be saying they should win their next four or five games so that would be a great start for him.”
Norwegian Solskjaer won six Premier League titles plus the Community Shield and FA Cup when he played for United. He also fired the winning goal in their 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich, completing the club’s treble that year.
He has rejoined the club on a temporary basis from Mould FK.
Ole: "I had the best manager as a player. [Sir Alex] influenced me in everything – ever since my injury in 2003, I've been making the notes, what he did in certain situations and I've already been in touch with him, because there's no-one better to get advice from." #MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 21, 2018
The Red Devils will be without Alexis Sánchez, who has a hamstring injury, for their trip to South Wales.
Chris Smalling is doubtful with a back injury, while Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay have also been missing.
Victor Lindelöf and Anthony Martial are back in their squad.
Bluebirds goalkeeper Neil Etheridge will only play one game at the 2019 Asian Cup before returning to the Premier League team.
The 28-year-old could have missed up to a month on duty for the Philippines, but their Football Federation president Maiano Araneta says Etheridge will only play their opener against South Korea on Monday, January 7.
“We know the importance of Neil with Cardiff, so he’ll play in the first game and go back,” said Araneta.
The Bluebirds will play Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on New Year’s Day before travelling to face Gillingham in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, January 5.
City then host Huddersfield Town in a league match a week later.
The Philippines, managed by former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, play South Korea, China and Kyrgyzstan in the group stages.