Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted that he meant no disrespect towards Roma from a comment he made earlier this month.
Following his side’s Europa League progression over Granada, the Norwegian was asked about facing the Giallorossi, responding, “I haven’t watched them.”
Speaking at his pre-match press conference today, Solskjaer clarified his comment and reiterated that he has the utmost respect for the capital club.
“That was straight after the game and, with all the games we’ve had, I was just relieved that we had gone through,”
he explained.
“Of course, I’ve watched them but I hadn’t analysed them and I hadn’t seen them in depth to give them enough respect probably.
It’s a fantastic club with a great history. I’ve actually got two prized possessions back home – a (Francesco) Totti shirt and a (Daniele) De Rossi shirt – I swapped shirts with them, they’re actually signed!”
He added, “We are ready for them. My comment was not meant as any disrespect and I think everyone knows that. I have got loads of respect for them.”
“I know about the histor
y and I know about the quality. With Chris (Smalling) being there last season, we followed them. Then they signed Chris and we’ve not watched them as much, but we’ve analysed them down to the ground since we drew them
,” he concluded.
