Solskjaer was left stunned when Man Utd drew PSG – but now thinks the Red Devils are perfectly prepared to s - The Sun
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER believes Manchester United could not be better prepared to spring a surprise in the Champions League.
Two months ago nobody gave them a hope of even getting past their last 16 tie against PSG, the first leg of which takes place at Old Trafford tomorrow.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Man Utd are in the 'best frame of mind' ahead of their Champions League tie against PSG
But after ten wins from 11 games under Solskjaer thery are many people's favourites and the boss believes they can make a dent not only in the French champions but the whole competition.
Solskjaer said: "Going into this game I do not think we could be in a better frame of mind with the confidence and form we have.
"We've given ourselves the best possible opportunity going into this game given the way things have gone.
"We've found out what sort of team we have. We are looking like a team.
"We have a playing style and we all agree on how we should approach games.
"So if ever we had a chance going into big games it's now."
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Solskjaer and Anthony Martial at a press conference ahead of Tuesday's game
Solskjaer was sat at home with his son Noah when the draw was made, not even dreaming that days later he would be in charge of United for the tie.
He said: "Of course I didn't know, I was watching it with Noah and said 'wow that's a tough challenge'."
It certainly looked that way then but the incredible improvement not only in results but performances has given the club a real belief that they can beat the French Champions and Ligue 1 leaders.
Not just that but go deep into a competition they have won three times.
Solskjaer said: "This squad is very capable of winning against any opponent.
"If we keep working hard, every single day, we can improve and maybe surprise a few."
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Romelu Lukaku trains ahead of the first leg of the PSG clash
It is a while since Old Trafford has looked forward to a European tie of this importance.
Forget the Europa League, a very poor relation of this competition.
It is the Champions League where it is at.
Since losing in the 2010-11 final to Barcelona, United's best performance in the competition was in reaching the quarter-finals under David Moyes in 2013-14.
In that run they had one brilliant night here at Old Trafford when they came form 2-0 down to beat Olympiakos 3-0 in the second leg of their last 16 tie.
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Solskjaer's last Champions League game as a player was United's 7-1 thumping of Roma in 2007
They would go out in the last eight to Bayern Munich.
For a club that used to be feared in Europe they have become also-rans, something Solskjaer aims to change.
It has been too long since this famous ground has experienced big European nights.
Solskjaer said: "Yeah. It has been.
"If you look back, maybe one of the last few exciting knockout games was Real Madrid when Nani was sent off, then we had Bayern Munich a few years ago.
Eamonn and James Clarke
PSG star Kylian Mbappe arrives in Manchester ahead of Tuesday's clash amid the absences of Neymar and Edinson Cavani
"So we're looking forward to this, the supporters and the players have been looking forward to it.
"These night's are special. My last one as a player was against Roma when we beat them 7-1 here.
"I remember we lost 2-1 away but the manager was so happy and said 'we'll win at home. So we just want the players to go into this game confident and embrace the game'."
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer boldly predicts Manchester United capable of winning Champions League
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