Solskjaer looking for back-to-back wins at the expense of lowly Huddersfield

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to make his home bow as Manchester United caretaker manager when his side entertain Huddersfield Town on Boxing Day.

The Norwegian manager got an early Christmas gift on Saturday when he made his touchline debut against former club Cardiff City and watched on as the Red Devils hammered the Welsh side 5-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Jesse Lingard was Man of the Match as he registered two goals and an assist as the record-time Premier League winners resembled something of their old self against an admittedly poor Cardiff display.

United’s new boss will have most of the squad available for selection in midweek. Only Alexis Sanchez is definitively ruled out. Chris Smalling will face a late fitness test although he is not expected to play. Scott McTominay stands a better chance of featuring when he is put through his paces pre-game.

A win would not see United rise in the table but the fact they are eight points off fourth place makes every three points on offer absolutely necessary.

For Huddersfield, the points are equally necessary, but for very different reasons. Currently 19th and on a five game losing slide David Wagner’s squad must start climbing soon if they have ambitions of a third Premier League season.

United’s shaky defending will give the Boxing Day visitors hope that they can stun the hosts and strengthen their survival credentials. Their latest defeat came against a reinvigorated Southampton team as they slost 3-1 at the John Smith’s Stadium.

David Wagner still has some significant names sidelined with Aaron Mooy the biggest miss as the Australian is set to miss out until February with a knee injury. Tommy Smith will also miss the trip to Old Trafford.

There will be late fitness tests for captain Jonathan Hogg and Rajiv Van La Parra, both of whom would be very welcome additions to a squad is desperate need of all the help it can get.

The Terriers do face a kind run of games after their daunting trip to Manchester, although the run itself will be critical to their survival hopes. Games against Fulham, Burnley and Cardiff City follow – the teams currently occupying 20th, 18th and 17th respectively.

One would imagine Huddersfield would need at least two positive results from those three games if they are to have a fighting chance entering the new year.