"Everyone knows we can do it, we’ve done it" - Solskjaer issues rallying cry

What's the story?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has issued a rallying cry ahead of their Champions League round of 16 tie against PSG, implying that while the task at hand might be hard, it is not impossible to turn around a 2 goal deficit.

In case you didn't know...

Solkjaer's only defeat as manager of Manchester United came at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.

United were crippled with injuries in the first half at Old Trafford and after the break, PSG went 2-0 up within a space of 8 minutes. Solskjaer's men failed to recover and succumbed to a home defeat. To make matters worse, Paul Pogba picked up his second yellow of the night late in the game and received his marching orders. The Frenchman is a high profile absentee in the return leg now, but he is not the only player who will be missed.

Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic are all sidelined with injuries and as such the game against the French Champions comes at the worst possible moment for Manchester United. And the fact that PSG will be at home, with the added advantage of two away goals, has led many to believe that this tie is impossible for Manchester United to win.

The heart of the matter

Solskjaer famously claimed "Mountains are there to be climbed" after the defeat to PSG in the first leg. Now, at the Press Conference at Paris ahead of the crucial game, the Norwegian has maintained his optimistic demeanor.

It is a difficult test, but we can do it. We need the first goal and we need to stay in the game. Anything can happen. We need a good plan.

Everyone knows we can do it, we’ve done it. Last year Juventus lost 3-0 to Real Madrid and then 3-0 up in second-leg, PSG vs Barcelona (was the same). There are so many examples of teams who can change results like this.

The Norwegian also believes that United have plenty of motivation ahead of the game:

When nobody believes in you there is that bit of character we have to make. Making history is not the motivation, qualifying is. At our best we can match them.

He also stated the importance of scoring goals:

Goals change games, if we get the first one we might back ourselves even more.

However, he stressed that United have to put in a good shift to win the game

We are playing good football, you have to be. The form has improved all the season, hopefully we can put that together tomorrow night with 10 or 11 players really hitting form

What's next?

After facing Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, United have to travel to the Emirates on Sunday to face Arsenal in the Premier League.