Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's blunt response to put Liverpool fan rumour to bed

The idea of your team's star player or manager supporting their greatest rivals, is always a difficult pill to swallow.

Ask Tottenham fans about THAT Arsenal picture, regardless of the perfectly reasonable explanation behind its roots.

Or West Brom manager Sam Allardyce, who has previously pledged his allegiance to bitter rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.

But at the top of the English game, there’s no rivarly quite like the one between Manchester United and Liverpool.

So the notion that the Red Devils manager supports the old enemy is a tantalising prospect for the Anfield faithful.

But it has been suggested that during his younger days in Norway, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferred the Reds from Merseyside over the ones from Manchester, with one friend claiming he had Liverpool posters above his bed.

It has been claimed that Solskjaer supported Liverpool during his younger days in Norway (Press Association)

Asked in a 2016 Q & A by FourFourTwo, the then Molde boss carefully dodged the question, confirming only the team he now currently follows.

Asked about his Liverpool roots, Solskjaer said: “You learn as long as you live, that’s the only answer I can give you…

“I never confirm that one! I’m a Manchester United fan through and through. I bleed red.”

Solskjaer is often seen passionately celebrating in the Manchester United dugout (PA)

However, as United trot out against the Premier League champions at Old Trafford on Sunday, there are few doubts about his one true footballing love.

Since joining Manchester United as an unheralded 23-year-old, Solskjaer has embarked on a near three-decade long love affair.

When he netted a 91^st minute winner against his ‘boyhood team’ in 1999, there were no hands raised in reserved celebration – rather a primal scream of emotion as he careered towards a jubilant Stretford End.

And even as a neutral, when the opportunity came up to discuss the team from Anfield, he gave it the most glorious of cold shoulders.

After watching his Cardiff City side lose 6-3 to Liverpool back in 2014, Solskjaer was asked whether he would consider Brendan Rodgers’ side as title contenders.

Only to look down the camera and state: “I couldn’t care less”, before quickly walking out of shot.

“Manchester United is in my heart and it’s brilliant to be coming back in this role,” he said after being appointed caretaker boss in 2018.

Those posters above his bed have been firmly consigned to the rubbish bin.

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