"It is not impossible to stop Messi" – Solskjaer

Manchester United and Barcelona will go head to head in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of eight tonight at the Nou Camp.

Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stated that it is not impossible to stop Barcelona Argentine player, Lionel Messi.

Knowing fully well how Messi inflicted damage to United in two UCL finals, Solskjaer still believes he can be stopped.

“He is a fantastic player and will go down in history as one of the best individual players ever,” said United boss Solskjaer ahead of the first leg of the tie at Old Trafford.

“He will be difficult to stop but it is never impossible. It’s not like it’s Messi against Manchester United.

“There is (Luis) Suarez, (Philippe) Coutinho, (Ivan) Rakitic, (Arturo) Vidal, there are so many good players we can’t just focus on one player. We know we have to play against 11 of them.”

Despite poor form in their past 4 games, the Norwegian believes the Barcelona tie will make his side step their game up.

“Of course when you get Barcelona, with the quality of their team, we know we need to step up our game,” said Solskjaer.

“We know we need to perform to our best levels, which we didn’t against PSG at home. The outcome of the second leg against PSG has given the players and supporters belief that the same is possible against Barcelona.”