Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed his sympathy with Pep Guardiola after the death of the Manchester City manager's mother.
It was confirmed on Monday that Dolors Sala Carrio, 82, had sadly passed away in Barcelona after contracting coronavirus as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the world.
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and the players all sent heartfelt messages of support while United, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were among the clubs to pay their respects.
Solskjaer has been involved in four fiercely-contested contests this year against Guardiola's City, winning three of the encounters but being knocked out of the league cup semi-finals.
Throughout, the Reds boss has never hidden his admiration for his opposite number as a manager and he took the opportunity to praise his character when asked about the passing of Guardiola's mother.
"We are all thinking about Pep and his family," he told Sky Sports. "It just goes to show that we have to spend time with our loved ones when we have the chance.
"For me Pep is such a fantastic human being and manager and one that I've admired for many many years. I just hope that he can take care and look after himself and his own family in this difficult period because you don't wish that upon anyone."
Last week Guardiola donated £920,000 (€1m) to the fight against coronavirus, with the money going towards buying essential health equipment needed to help treat people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
