MANCHESTER, England -- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted he is the right man to lead Manchester United's revival despite a worrying dip in form that has threatened their top four hopes.

United host Manchester City at Old Trafford on Wednesday on the back of six defeats in eight games including a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.

The run has raised questions about Solskjaer's suitability for the job over Mauricio Pochettino, who has led Tottenham into the Champions League semifinals.

"Well I would like to say yes [I am the right man] but it's not down to me to say that," Solskjaer told a news conference.

"I'm confident in my team and myself. I'll be ready to take this challenge on. I know it's a big challenge and that's why, when I came in here, I said I'm going to enjoy every single second. I don't like losing but it's a challenge all the managers at this club have had.

"When you go through bad results, you've got to be confident enough to say this is the way we're going to do it and plan ahead.

"I like all these boys, I love them because they're great lads. But I've got to make decisions and manage for the club.

"I'm managing the club and helping the players but I manage four the club. But we're going to put all our efforts into making sure we do what we think is right for the club."

United are still in the race to finish in the top four after Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea all dropped points over the Easter weekend. Sitting sixth in the table, they are still just three points adrift of Tottenham in third and Solskjaer believes City is the perfect game for the players to put things right after the desperate display at Everton.

"It's the best game we could ask for with the players hurt as they definitely were," Solskjaer said.

"We had a meeting after the game and all the players were definitely, definitely disappointed and really, really hurt by that performance.

"The City game is the perfect one, there's no hiding place on the pitch and the fans will back you if you give that effort.

"There's always a crisis at Man United whenever you lose a game or two.

"City and Liverpool are two teams who've taken more points in last 18 games. The boys have done fantastic. We've lost three out of the last five league games, that's a bit too many but that's football."

City, who have won five of the last seven league games at Old Trafford, arrive hoping to leapfrog Liverpool and go back to the top of the Premier League table and Jurgen Klopp's side won 2-0 at Cardiff on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola's side have scored 87 league goals this season but Solskjaer also pointed out his players should expect a physical challenge.

"We have got to be ready for their aggression," he added.

"They will snap at your heels and kick you. There will be fouls, absolutely no doubt about it, and when you watch those games they commit so many players forward."