Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 4y

Solskjaer: Man United fans back me, we are going in right direction

MANCHESTER, England -- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he still has the backing of the Manchester United fans despite overseeing the club's worst start to a season for 31 years.

United are ninth in the Premier League table and head into Wednesday's meeting with Jose Mourinho's Tottenham closer to the relegation places than the top four. Solskjaer, however, said supporters can see progress is being made.

- ESPN Premier League fantasy: Sign up now!
- VAR in the Premier League: Ultimate guide
- When does the transfer window reopen?
- Premier League winter break: All you need to know

"I can just go on the evidence of the game days and supporters I've met," the Norwegian told a news conference on Tuesday. "There's not many I've met that say you've got to do something different.

"They can see what we're trying to do. They know there's a lot of work being done behind the scenes -- put a culture in the team, what we're trying to do here, with what's happening here at Carrington. We just need results, that's the evidence for us.

"We have a plan in place and hopefully we can get the results to speed it up. Sometimes it doesn't go at the speed you want to but it's still going in the right direction."

Solskjaer has taken charge of 50 games since replacing Mourinho almost a year ago. The Portuguese coach was sacked after collecting 26 points from 17 games last term -- a record Solskjaer cannot match unless United win their next three games against Tottenham, Manchester City and Everton. But despite the stats, Solskjaer said his team are on the right track. 

"I felt the team towards the end of last season didn't have the desire, didn't have the heart, didn't have the belief that this is going to turn around," the United boss said. "This group has a different mentality.

"The club have values and beliefs and I know that we have made these decisions together. Outside, I know our supporters, the ones I've seen, the ones I've met, the match day supporters, they've been very positive and that's all I can go on.

"But results, that's key for us. We've got a great chance now, the next three days to turn people's perceptions."

Solskjaer was handed a three-year contract when he was named permanent manger in March. He spent nearly £150 million on Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James in the summer and he expects to be in charge to lead another overhaul at the end of the season.

"Players are playing for their place in the long term," he said. "We have a situation at the moment where we've had injuries, so players have played.

"We do have a clear picture of what the squad is going to look like in June and July. Hopefully, you get as much done as soon as possible. With Harry [Maguire] coming in, Romelu [Lukaku] going out, it was late. We do have a plan now."

^ Back to Top ^