As Manchester United plan to host Barcelona for the Wednesday night Champions League thriller, Ole Gunnar Solskjær looked ahead to a dream to face one of world’s greatest player with a dose of reality.
Addressing the prospect of coming face to face with Lionel Messi, his response was blunt.
“What kind of plan can you have to stop one of the best in the world?” he said. “He’s a fantastic player. He will go down in history as one of the best ever.
“He will be difficult to stop, but it’s never impossible.”
Solskjær is probably wise to focus on how Manchester United’splayers can do damage to Barca, rather than being consumed by Messi.
Messi arrives in sensational form with 43 goals in 40 appearances this season and his recent efforts are beginning to resemble a goal of the season reel.
The United boss is hoping the sight of Messi might even inspire his defence, who have had their fair share of critics this season.
“This season we’ve played against Juventus and Ronaldo, PSG with Mbappe,” Solskjaer added. “We’ve had Chelsea and Hazard, Neymar didn’t play against us.
“I think the better an opponent… Suarez as well and Coutinho and Messi will keep our defenders on their toes, so let’s see how we manage tomorrow.”
Smalling has never faced Messi previously, having been an unused substitute in the 2011 final in his first season at Old Trafford. But rather than see his first meeting with the Argentine magician as something to be worried about, he is instead seeing it as an opportunity.
“It’s something to relish, I think,” United’s centre back said.
“This season I’ve been lucky enough to face Ronaldo, Mbappe and they’re all challenges that I think I definitely relish and I think players at this club relish.
“I say bring it on.”