Basaksehir v United: Solskjaer interview

The former United defender joined Istanbul Basaksehir earlier this year and da Silva is over the moon to be facing the club he still openly has so much admiration and love for.

Those feelings are fully reciprocated by Ole, his former United team-mates and our fans and during our pre-match interview with the Reds’ boss, he recalled training with a 15-year-old Rafael and his twin brother Fabio…

It’s another big week of games and a tough one with the travel to Turkey and a trip to Goodison Park, but presumably they’re two good tests you’re looking forward to?
“Definitely. It’s always important to bounce back and respond after a disappointing day. We’ve had some time to reflect over this [the Arsenal defeat] now and it’s gone, and we’ve got to get a performance in Istanbul and hopefully we’ll get three points and then we go to Everton. Of course we’ve not been helped by the schedule but it’s another challenge.”

As you say the fixtures have been a little unkind giving us an early Saturday kick-off after Wednesday’s trip. Will this have any bearing on your plans for the travelling squad?
“It might have an impact on the team selection and subs we make depending on the game of course. 12.30 on a Saturday doesn’t help us but that’s what the Champions League gives to you, it gives you a challenge because you want to be in this competition playing in midweek and we’ve just got to take it as it comes. We asked for a Sunday game but there was absolutely no help to get that.”