OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER promised a backlash from the defeat to Watford.
Manchester United welcome Newcastle today, reeling from a 2-0 loss at the bottom club.
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested this season is being used more as preparation for next termCredit: PA:Press Association
The Red Devils also lost away at St James’ Park 1-0 in October and defeats to clubs in the bottom half have come in between wins against the likes of Manchester City and Spurs.
But boss Solskjaer said: “We were disappointed to lose at Newcastle with more than 70 per cent of possession.
“We have not kept the consistency we had liked. There will be a reaction (to losing at Watford) definitely.
“We knew this season would have some ups and downs, this season would be used to find a team and a squad for next season.
“ If we can speed up the process with more consistency and with more experience and to learn from these setbacks then great… but we are a bit behind where I wanted to be though.”
Asked if teams fear United any more, Solskjaer added: “Fear factor is for every other manager. We have to keep growing as a team and keep developing. Hopefully we can break teams down.”
United have been accused of being able to only play on the counter attack as they struggle to break down teams who sit back.
The manager said: “We want to dominate teams and break them down. It has taken Liverpool a few years to do that.
“Yes we are good at counter attacking and we are pacy, that’s our tradition. But we have to be able to stop counter attacks. We will see an improvement hopefully.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Paul Pogba is ready to start in Manchester United’s Boxing Day clash against Newcastle
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
