Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thanked the Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies for firing up the Manchester United players before their 6-0 thrashing at Prenton Park.

Ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie, Manchester City supporter Davies, 32, said he and his family had a 'big hatred' of United and 'if myself and my football club can have an influence on them having another bad day then great'.

However, Davies shipped six goals and was heckled by the United away following in the Cowshed End with chants of 'City reject' throughout the chastening defeat.

The MEN understands Solskjaer spotted Davies outside the dressing rooms after United's win and said: "Thanks for firing up the fans and the players." United recorded their biggest victory since August 2011 at League One Tranmere.

Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot scored their first United goals against Davies, who also became the first opposition goalkeeper to concede to Phil Jones since March 2014. Davies was fortunate not to be dismissed for deliberately upending Tahith Chong when through on goal early in the second-half. United were awarded a penalty that was converted by Mason Greenwood.

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Despite a humiliating afternoon for Davies, he could be seen pointing to his light blue kit at full-time and exchanging verbals with United supporters.

Following Tranmere's third round replay victory over Watford, Blackpool-born Davies said: "Twenty years of my childhood and growing up as a teenager was absolute torture, so the last 10 years or so has been great.

"They always looked down on Man City over the years but now it’s turned around quickly. If myself and my football club can have an influence on them having another bad day then great. It would be unbelievable. I've already had plenty of text messages along those lines, from United supporters as well!

"I’m not a big lover of Man United, I’ll be totally honest, but on Sunday I’ll be totally professional and approaching it in a different manner.

"I go to most home games and a lot of away games when we’re not playing Sunday and midweek games so I’ve been to plenty of derbies at Old Trafford and at City.

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"There’s a big hatred for Manchester United in the family but on Sunday it’s purely professional."

Tranmere are 21st in League One and in the relegation zone.