Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested Manchester United fans will back whatever happens against Manchester City – as long as the players try.
Liverpool are hoping for a favour from their bitter North West rivals as the battle for the Premier League title reaches a conclusion.
Victory for City in Wednesday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford would see them move above Liverpool at the top of table. Pep Guardiola's side stand two points behind with a game in hand.
United go into the showdown on the back of six defeats in eight culminating with Sunday's embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Everton.
But Solskjaer believes City's visit represents the perfect opportunity for United's players to show they care – even if they lose.
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“That’s the best game we could ask for now with players hurt as they definitely were,” said Solskjaer.
“We have had a meeting after the game you can see all the players were definitely, definitely disappointed but really, really hurt by that performance and the City game is the perfect one.
“There's no hiding place on the pitch and our fans will back you whatever the result will be so long as you give that effort against a City side that has been very good.
“We have got to turn up. We focus on Wednesday and I’m sure we’ll get a response.”
Some United fans would sooner their team lose and potentially miss out on Champions League qualification than help Liverpool's quest for a first league title since 1990.
City have won 14 of their last 15 Premier League matches and strolled past United 3-1 at the Etihad in November.
And Solskjaer has warned his players to prepare for a real scrap.
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“We have got to be ready for the press, for their pressing,” he said. “They have got quality on the ball, so we have got to defend well.
“When we win it we have got to be ready for their aggression, because they will snap at your ankles and heels and kick you, they are not going to allow us easy counter-attacking because there will be fouls.
“I have absolutely no doubt about it because when you watch those games they commit so many players forward and they will be stopping us as high as they can I think.”
