Ole Gunnar Solskjaer responds to Jose Mourinho penalty jibe and insists he has ‘ultimate respect’ for Tottenham boss

Solskjaer and Mourinho meet at Old Trafford on Sunday

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had no problem with Jose Mourinho’s jibe at Manchester United’s knack of winning penalties and has insisted that he has “ultimate respect” for his predecessor.

After United required a late Bruno Fernandes penalty to beat Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend, Mourinho suggested that Solskjaer would prefer a “22-yard-box” rather than the regulation 18-yard penalty area.

But ahead of Mourinho’s return to Old Trafford on Sunday with Tottenham Hotspur, Solskjaer was in no mood to engage in a war of words and saw the funny side of the Portuguese’s comments.

“No, the rules are as they are in football, I didn't really think more about that one,” he said. 

"It's just more for you and the media, it's important that we have a bit of entertainment as well. Jose has throughout the years given us some fantastic moments in football, in press conferences and on the pitch.

"As a striker I didn't mind how big the box was when I got in there, it was just a strike on goal." 

Solskjaer added: "We are in strange times at the moment. You've got to sometimes have a bit of fun as well. It was a couple of innocent comments. 

"For me Jose's a very charismatic coach and manager and I've enjoyed in the media talking to him, enjoyed watching him. 

“He's a winner but I'm not one of these that really go into all these mind games, I've got ultimate respect for him as a coach and results and everything he's given football.”