Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not have any concerns about his future as his side prepare to welcome Jose Mourinho back to Old Trafford when Tottenham Hotspur visit on Wednesday.
Solskjaer took charge at United following Mourinho's sacking in December last year, initially on an interim basis. The Norwegian was given the job full-time after a fine run of results, however, the team's form soon took a turn for the worse and United are currently ninth in the Premier League table, eight points adrift of the top four.
Mourinho returned to management last month when he replaced Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham and has led the London club to three successive wins in all competitions. He will now be looking to extend his perfect start when he takes his side to his former employers on Wednesday evening.
Defeat for United will only add further pressure on Solskjaer, but the former striker is confident he will not be the next Premier League manager out of a job following the recent sackings of Pochettino, Unai Emery by Arsenal and Quique Sanches Flores from Watford.
"No, it doesn't make me more concerned," Solskjaer said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. "I'm just focusing on my job and that's just doing as well as I can, and look forward to the next game, and look long-term, plan things with board.
"It's that time of year. It's never nice to see your colleagues lose your jobs -- three in a very short space of time.
"It's a game of margins. Sometimes you have luck, sometimes you don't, but it doesn't make me any more concerned that it's December.
"I'm good, absolutely no problem. Sometimes you laugh when you read stories about what I've said and stuff, at least I know the sources are just made up, blatant lies."
The United manager bemoaned his team's failure to turn draws into wins, saying they were not getting the results their football deserved.
The club are winless in three games and Solskjaer's job will not get any easier with a derby against Manchester City on Saturday to follow the game against Mourinho's Spurs side.
The Norwegian, though, dismissed any need for crisis talks with the United board.
"Three days or four days are not going to change a whole lot, but these two games are great chances for us to prove things and prove to ourselves that we can continue in the vein we have had against some of the better sides," he said.
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Midweek Premier League predictions
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Crystal Palace v Bournemouth, Tuesday, 11.30pm: While Wilfried Zaha remains at Crystal Palace, they always have a chance of ruffling feathers. He is a supreme talent and Palace have done well to keep him so long since his failed Manchester United adventure. Zaha scored in the surprising 2-0 win at Burnley at the weekend, and he can help them improve on a solid 11th position this week. PREDICTION: Crystal Palace 2 Bournemouth 1 Reuters -
Burnley v Manchester City, Wednesday, 12.15am: Burnley won 3-0 at Watford, then lost 2-0 at home to Palace. Mind you, champions City have dropped four points in their last three games, so hardly consistent themselves. Kevin de Bruyne is showing the form that makes him such a class act, and that will be crucial for City if they are to start one of their incredible winning runs. PREDICTION: Burnley 1 Manchester City 2 EPA -
Chelsea v Aston Villa, Wednesday, 11.30pm: A point at Manchester United after three against Newcastle was an excellent week for Villa, who seem to be getting to grips with the Premier League. Jack Grealish is such a key to their form, and the more he flourishes the better Villa will get. Chelsea are having a little wobble. PREDICTION: Chelsea 2 Aston Villa 2 Getty -
Leicester v Watford, Wednesday, 11.30pm: Have some sympathy for poor Watford. Just 14 games into the season and they have sacked two managers, picked up just one win and are rock bottom. But against Southampton on Saturday, for the third time this season VAR admitted a mistake which cost them points. It might not ultimately make the difference, but it would help. Now the small matter of visiting a Leicester side that can't stop winning. PREDICTION: Leicester 4 Watford 0 Reuters -
Manchester United v Tottenham, Wednesday, 11.30pm: Jose Mourinho back at Old Traffod so soon after taking over at Tottenham. It's certainly the match of the midweek fixtures and the Special One will love his reception and being centre stage. He will also do absolutely anything to avoid defeat against his former club, parking a fleet of buses is that's what is required. PREDICTION: Manchester United 1 Tottenham 1 Getty -
Southampton v Norwich, Wednesday, 11.30pm: Losing 1-0 with 12 minutes to go against bottom club Watford, only to win 2-1 with the help of an incorrect VAR decision. On such margins can a season, and Premier League survival, hinge, though James Ward-Prowse's free-kick winner was worthy of special praise. Can they now cash in? The nerves will still be there. PREDICTION: Southampton 1 Norwich 1 Getty -
Wolves v West Ham, Wednesday, 11.30pm: Wolves lie in sixth place, level on points with Tottenham, and into the knockout stages of the Europa League. Just one problem; their manager Nuno Espirito Santo is so good other clubs will come calling, and when there is big money and possible Champions League action on offer, will he really say no? PREDICTION: Wolves 2 West Ham 0 Getty -
Liverpool v Everton, Thursday, 00.15am: The Mersey derby, one of the bitterest rivalries anywhere in the football world. Jurgen Klopp's side are flying, and Marco Silva's struggling, but that doesn't guarantee anything in this humdinger of a fixture. Mohamed Salah has been quiet by his standards lately; this would be the perfect moment to burst into his peerless brilliance. PREDICTION: Liverpool 2 Everton 1 EPA -
Sheffield United v Newcastle, Thursday, 11.30pm: Few would have predicted it on his appointment, but Steve Bruce is slowly but surely winning over the Newcastle doubters. They aren't exactly chanting his name in the stands just yet, but getting a draw against champions Manchester City will do his cause no harm. Jonjo Shelvey, awful against Villa but magnificent against City, can give his boss a big hand. PREDICTION: Sheffield United 1 Newcastle 1 Getty -
Arsenal v Brighton, Friday, 00.15am: So it was just a matter of time. Goodbye Unai Emery, welcome Freddie Ljungberg, for now. The Gunners sit below Sheffield United in the Premier League table and interim boss Ljungberg will need to change that. The signs were there against Norwich, but the result did not follow. Tense times but another big chance for three points. PREDICTION: Arsenal 2 Brighton 1 AFP
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Solskjaer expects Mourinho to receive a warm welcome when he returns to Old Trafford a year after being sacked, having won the League Cup and Europa League during his time in charge.
"We know we have to improve, we are working hard to do that right and when you change a manager halfway through the season (it) isn't where it is supposed to be," said the Norwegian.
"I don't think whoever the manager of the opposition team is will change their motivation (of the players)," he said.
"They are motivated to do well for Man Utd, because they know it's about improving every day in training and every time you step on that pitch it's a chance to prove you can be part of this long term. That has always been the case at Man Utd."
United will still be without the injured Paul Pogba but Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic will be assessed as Solskjaer looks at his midfield options.
