OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER was putting on a brave face as the pressure builds at Manchester United.
The club are ninth in the table after their worst start to a league season in 31 years and Solskjaer has told his players he will be axed if they lose against Tottenham and City.
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They stand only six points above the drop zone with a rejuvenated Jose Mourinho returning to Old Trafford next followed by the Manchester derby at the weekend.
Three Premier League managers have already been sacked with Mauricio Pochettino waiting in the wings for a big job.
But smiling Solskjaer is trying to remain positive believing in his long term plan to get the club back on track.
Solskjaer said: “It’s that time of year and it’s never nice to see your colleagues lose their jobs.
“It doesn’t make me more concerned, I’m just focusing on my job and that’s doing as well as I can, look forward to the next game and looking long term and planning things with the board.
“These next two games are a great chance to improve things.”
Solskjaer actually needs to win those next two and Everton at home to have more points than Mourinho did after 17 games last season when The Special One became the sacked one.
Solskjaer said: “When you change managers halfway through the season it’s because a club isn’t where it wants to be.
The Red Devils are currently in ninth spot following the 2-2 draw against Aston VillaCredit: PA:Press Association
I’m just focusing on my job and that’s doing as well as I can, look forward to the next game and looking long term and planning things with the board.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
“I’ve had 50 games since then and it isn’t where we want to be and we have to improve and we are working hard to do that.”
Solskjaer still believes they are not far away from where he wants them to be arguing that they could easily have 12 more points having drawn six games.
He said: “We’ve had too many draws for my liking and defeats of course.
“But the draws we should have turned into wins and football is a results business,
“We know we can do better and are working hard, the work is always geared on us improving but we’re not getting all the results we’ve deserved.”
United’s current travails compared with the way Mourinho has lifted Spurs might leave some wondering why he was ever shown the door at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer is convinced Mourinho’s record at the club where he won the League Cup and Europa League will guarantee him a warm reception.
He said: “I think he’ll get a very good reception.
“That’s just a testament to this club and these supporters.
“They’ll remember his two-and-a-half-years, he won trophies and I’m 100% sure our fans and staff will welcome him.”
Man United vs Tottenham FREE: Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Premier League clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
