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Writer's pictureBobby Vincent

Cardiff City vs Manchester United

Manchester United begin life without Jose Mourinho, as they travel to the Welsh capital to face Cardiff City on Saturday evening.

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has taken over from Mourinho's job following his sacking on Tuesday after United being beaten 3-1 by rivals Liverpool last week.

Cardiff put in a brave effort to just lose 3-2 to Watford last week, after going three goals down at Vicarage Road.

 

Team News

Cardiff left-back Joe Bennett has not trained all week due to a hip injury and is looking like a doubt for the trip of United.

Neil Warnock confirmed that a couple of unnamed players are nursing "little niggles" ahead of the clash.

Manchester United are set to be without striker Romelu Lukaku, who has been given compassionate leave.

Alexis Sanchez will be absent with an ankle injury, while Chris Smalling, who injured himself in the warm-up against Liverpool on Sunday.

 

The Managers

Cardiff manager Neil Warnock has explained that the job Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has got himself could be once in a lifetime.

"I think it's the best job he will have in his life, Ole, because he cannot lose," Warnock claimed.

"He'll hold the fort until the end of the season and if he does well, he'll get a couple of years.

"It's a great club and we're all expecting (Paul) Pogba, (Anthony) Martial or (Jesse) Lingard to be man of the match. Ole is a nice lad from what I've heard."

Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solksjaer revealed that his former coach, and United legend, Sir Alex Ferguson has given him so much advice and inspiration.

"My job is to help the players, make them grasp the opportunity now," Solksjaer said.

"I had the best manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) as a player and coach to learn how to deal with people and how we dealt with people.

"It's about communication... when you're at Man United, there are a set of demands and one of them is to be a team player and I don't think anyone has been on the bench more than me!

"So that's always my comeback to my players: 'You never know, you might come on and make an impact - that's your chance, grab your opportunity when you get it."

 

Match Stats

- It's been 58 years since Cardiff last beat Manchester United, with the Bluebirds winning 3-0 in November 1960.

- The only previous encounter at the Cardiff City Stadium was a 2-2 draw in November 2013.

- Cardiff have won four of their past five Premier League home matches, as many as they had in their previous 22 games.

- Neil Warnock hasn't won any of his seven encounters against Manchester United - losing six of the games.

- Anthony Martial is set to make his 100th Premier League appearance, with Romelu Lukaku one game off 200 in the competition.

 

Betting Odds

- Cardiff City: 11/2

- Draw: 16/5

- Manchester United: 4/7

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