Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has downplayed claims that he disrespected Roma ahead of Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg against the Serie A club.
The United boss was asked about Roma fans putting posters of him near their training ground accusing the Norwegian of disrespecting their club with comments made after the quarter-final win against Granada.
Solskjaer is pictured alongside the quote "I don't know them and I haven't seen them play", with the Giallorossi fans adding the caption "make sure he remembers us!"
"That was straight after the game and with all the games we've had I was just relieved that we'd gone through," the United boss said.
"Of course I've watched them but I hadn't analysed and hadn't seen them in depth to give them enough respect probably with analysis.
"I could've said, which I truly mean, 'it's a fantastic club with a great history'.
"I've actually got two prized possessions back home - a (Francesco) Totti shirt and a (Daniele) De Rossi shirt that I've swapped with them, actually signed.
"I know about the history, I know about the quality.
"Of course with Chris (Smalling) being there last season, we followed them and then they signed Chris.
It was not meant as any disrespect and I think everyone knows that
"We'd not watched them (play a match) but of course we've analysed them down to the ground since we drew them and we are ready for them.
"It was not meant as any disrespect and I think everyone knows that. I've got loads of respect for them."
Back to matters on the pitch and the Norwegian feels striker Marcus Rashford is "through the worst" of his foot injury as United prepare for their fifth semi-final appearance in two seasons.
The 23-year-old withdrew from last month's England international with the injury that he has had to manage throughout April.
Rashford has missed chunks of training, but the forward has been passed fit for Thursday
"Marcus, yeah, we've managed him and we've had to manage him for quite a while actually," Solskjaer said.
"Of course last year with his back, then he had his shoulders, which he's recovered really well from, and I feel he's gone through the worst of this foot (issue) as well and he almost played a full game against Leeds.
"He's available for selection again on Thursday, so I think he's happy with the progress that he's made.
"We didn't lose any anyone after the Leeds game, which was a great preparation for us because it's a high intensity, very, very difficult game."
Solskjaer kept schtum on who will be in goal for United on Thursday, although David De Gea now appears to have taken over as cup goalkeeper with Dean Henderson between the sticks for Premier League matches.
Solskjaer is looking to end United's semi-final hoodoo against Roma.
Having lost in the final four of last season's Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Europa League, the Red Devils lost at the same stage of this season's Carabao Cup and are looking to make it fifth time lucky.
"It will be a dream come true the day I can lift a trophy for this club as a manager, of course," Solskjaer said.
"That's what we're building for. We've been close, we're building step by step, but take the next step it's ifs and buts and this and that. You always talk about that.
"But for this team and myself, our ambition this season is to finish with lifting a trophy and being able to celebrate. I know how much that can mean for a group moving forward."
