This archive report was first published on 7 December 2019.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident that his side remains the bigger club in Manchester, despite a recent shift in power in the city.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated derby against Manchester City on Saturday, December 7, 2019, Solskjaer acknowledged that his team has not finished above City in the last seven seasons, but he insisted that United's status as a massive club on various levels remains unchanged.
"Yes, it's inarguable we are too far behind, but what are we going to do? Give up? Not challenge them?" Solskjaer said during the last press conference before the derby.
Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, have been dominating the Manchester derby in recent years, winning seven derbies since Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United. The Citizens have also garnered 91 points more than United in the last six seasons collectively.
However, Solskjaer remains optimistic about his team's chances, citing the loyalty and dedication of United's fans as a key factor in the club's enduring status as a giant in English football.
"For United's fans, they'll always be the biggest club. For the City fans, they'll always be the biggest club. It doesn't matter if you have had a lot of success in the past, it's part of what you feel," Guardiola said in a statement.
