Football
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Man United boss Solskjaer invites Ferguson to give team talk against Liverpool

Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has invited Sir Alex Ferguson to give the team talk ahead of his side's game against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Ferguson -- who guided United to 13 Premier League titles and ended his reign as manager in 2013 -- will return to the dugout in May for the first time since undergoing emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage when he takes charge of a United side in a charity match.

And Solskjaer, looking for a 12th win from 14 matches in charge, said he could deliver the team talk ahead of the game against second-placed Liverpool.

"The gaffer would be welcome to have his talk to the players if he wanted to, because we know how much it meant to him to overtake Liverpool [in the number of titles won]," he told a news conference.

"Our players know what this game means for everyone at Manchester United. We want to build this team into one that is worthy of Manchester United's history, and it's another step if we can win this at home.

"Against Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, it was fantastic to win those three away -- but now we need to perform at home as well.

"I played in a few of these games myself and I know the magnitude of it for the fans, for everyone who works here, the staff. There have been many comments that this is the big one."

Solskjaer urged his players to focus on the game rather than the emotions surrounding it, adding: "We have to stay controlled, but with some fight in us as well."

Meanwhile, former United defender Nemanja Vidic, sent off three times against Liverpool, backed his old team to triumph if they approached the game in the right way.

"Man United have to match the energy and aggression of the Liverpool players. If they do that, they will win the match," he said.

"That's where I see Liverpool's strength -- movement without the ball, aggression and repetition. They are the best in the league at doing these things.

"The movement of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane running in behind and Roberto Firmino coming to the ball, they are always on the move. That's a challenge for the defenders, but United's midfield have to be aggressive and not give Liverpool too much time on the ball or easy passes forwards."

Vidic backed midfielder Paul Pogba to be a key influence, adding: "I think Paul is a great player, has a great talent and he's showed how good he is.

"But if he starts running and doing things he does I think he can even maybe aim for other things -- individual awards and maybe even get to be the best player in the world."

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