Ole Gunnar Solskjær has defended his record as Manchester United manager, but accepted that there is pressure on him after the club’s recent losing streak. United have won just two of their last seven games, losing four of them, including Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Leicester. This has led to increased scrutiny of Solskjær, with the Norwegian asked if he feels safe in his job.
“There is pressure all the time. There is pressure on me, of course, but we have been through this before and we have overcome it stronger as a team and as individuals, “he said. “I just wait for the answer [on the pitch]. I am in dialogue with the club all the time, so there is an open and honest discussion all the time.
“We have made progress over the years since [first here for] half season. Sixth, third, second. You can see the progress, development and improvement. This season we still want to improve. We have signed players who have raised expectations. Other teams have signed players and they have also improved, so we are in the same boat as all the best teams. “
While United’s hierarchy stands firm in its support for Solskjær’s home losses in Wednesday’s Champions League group game to Atalanta and Liverpool in Sunday’s Premier League game, it could cause a change in the position. Solskjær was asked about the views of Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender who said on Monday that the Norwegian should be fired if the club is to succeed.
“Of course we also have Liverpool on Sunday so Jamie is always looking at these little things,” Solskjær said. “I have my values. I have my way of managing and I believe in myself and as long as the club believes in me I’m pretty sure that Jamie Carragher’s opinion is not going to change that.
“When you ask about the moods, it is not a happy and jovial camp. We are focused and determined. Conceding four goals is a great revelation for us that we need to improve on different levels with lots of details. “
Solskjær defended the role of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been accused of not pushing enough from his role as a center forward. “We have 11 players on the court with different roles and responsibilities,” he said. “We put in a team that we think is going to win that game, we didn’t win against Leicester, so there will always be criticisms. Cristiano is an absolute player and we know what he can do for us ”.
He also defended his coaching staff, assistant coach Mike Phelan, and first team coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna, following criticism that United lacks cohesion. “The coaching staff we have is absolutely amazing, the attention to detail, the sessions they organize, the preparation we have,” he said.
“I don’t think you could ask for a better staff. They are good Manchester United people and they have one intention in mind: to improve the team and to help the players and to help the team and the players to grow. We went through difficult times together. “
Marcus Rashford scored at Leicester on his return from injury. He is clear that United have to toughen up as a unit. “Against Leicester we were too open. It’s as simple as that: they are a good soccer team, as are many of them, and it was too easy for them to play through us and we are going to do everything we can so that doesn’t happen again. The game against Atalanta is the first opportunity to show that we are focused on that.
Fast guide
Manchester United v Atalanta (probable teams)
Show
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Varane, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Pogba; Ronaldo
Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Musso; Lovato, Demiral, Palomino; Zappacosta, De Roon, Freuler, Maehle; Malinovskyi; Ilicic, Zapata
Referee: Szymon Marciniak
“For us, as players, we want the cutlery and also the staff. Everyone here wants to win trophies. But there are steps you need to take to get there and you don’t just win trophies overnight. We’ve been on this journey for a while and we get close many times and we have to find the difference between getting close and getting trophies. It is the next game that counts, we want to move forward ”.
United have three points in Group F, one behind Atalanta. “In the group stage of the Champions League you have six games. If you win all three at home and get a result away from home, you will most likely pass,” Solskjær said. “And that’s what we are looking for: a victory against a very good Atalanta team would be huge for us and a great boost.”
www.theguardian.com
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism