New Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge of his former club on Thursday and announced that it feels like a homecoming of sorts for him.
Etched in its history and adored by the fans, Solskjaer is all about enjoying the ride for the next six months before United appoint a permanent manager.
"First of all, it feels like I'm coming home. It's been a whirlwind few days, of course, but it's just great to see everyone again. It's for six months and I'm going to enjoy the ride," Solskjaer told manutd.com in his first interview as a United manager.
He took charge of training on Thursday and his first assignment will be on Saturday against Cardiff City -- his former club, which sacked him after just a few months in charge. Following that will be a Boxing Day clash at Old Trafford against Huddersfield and then again on December 30 at home versus Bournemouth. United will then travel to Newcastle on January 2nd and will host Reading in the FA Cup two days later.
With a hoard of fixtures coming in and favourable ones that too, United are expected to regain some ground on their rivals, who are vying for the fourth spot and it is going to be taxing but Solskjaer feels United have a good squad depth and it shouldn't be a problem.
"The amount of games coming up is no problem because we've got an amazing squad, we've got 23-24 players. They are all quality and they'll all get a chance now with the amount of games coming up. They've got a chance to show they are Man United players," said the Norwegian.
However, he is set to miss the services of Romelu Lukaku for the first two games as the Belgian is said to be on a 'compassionate leave'.
The 45-year-old has remained in awe of his former club, where he spent 11 seasons, scoring 91 goals and said that he wants the players and supporters to enjoy football and Old Trafford to be a happy place.
"We just want to get the players enjoying football. We are playing for our supporters, playing for pride, playing for the club, it's history. To be honest, it's going to be very, very special, I have to say. I know this club and I understand this club. History, tradition, giving youngsters a chance to play football and winning. It's unbelievable how it has developed since I came in 1996. It's huge.
"It's the biggest club in the world, the best supporters in the world and we have the best players in the world. I've seen all the teams, so I know a little bit about them, but it's not about the opposition, it's about us. It's about Manchester United and making sure the players know what they can do," the winner of six Premier Leagues and one Champions League with United said.
When asked the inevitable question about how he is feeling about the chance to start where he left in the Premier League, he said: "We've got a great set-up at the club with all of the analysts here. When I came in this morning [Thursday], they were watching Cardiff [videos]. But it's not just about the opposition - it's about us, it's about Man United, it's about our players knowing what they can do. We want to see them express themselves.
United are currently sixth in the league with 26 points from 17 games.
