Solskjaer excited by return to Norway

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes it is a little bonus for him that he's going to be able to take his Manchester United team to his native Norway to take on Kristiansund.

The Reds have announced another date as part of our pre-season schedule, tackling the club from Ole's home town in Oslo on Tuesday 30 July, live on MUTV.

The friendly at the Ullevi Stadium will be a great occasion for the boss and the thousands of United supporters in Scandanavia, who will look to attend the game against the Eliteserien club.

“I’ve said all along, since I came, I’m so proud, privileged and honoured to lead the club and be in charge of the club so, to do it in Norway, is another little bonus for me, of course,” Solskjaer told MUTV.

“But, then again, it will be bigger here for everyone in Norway because there is such a huge fanbase here following us through thick and thin. We’ll be the home team, no doubt about it.

“It’s been Manchester United and Liverpool over the years who have had the two biggest followings, it still is, and the rivalry is just as big over here as it is back home in England. It’s fantastic that I meet United supporters wherever I go in Norway, it’s just part of our lives.”

Kristiansund have a large mix of nationalities in their squad, including keeper Sean McDermott, who has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad this week, Senegalese midfielder Amidou Diop and Kosovan forward Flamur Kastrati.

“Their players, of course, will want to impress,” added the manager. “After Cardiff, when I was out of a job for a year, I went over with Christian [Kristiansund coach Christian Michelsen] and had one or two sessions a week with the team. So I know quite a few of the players and they will want to prove to me what they can do, and prove to themselves what they can do against some of the best players in the world.

”It’s a chance for them maybe to be seen around the world because teams are always watching Manchester United. They might just see one or two of these players having a chance in their team.“