It’s about playing in the right way, insists Solskjaer

United’s interim manager pledges to keep positive approach as he closes in on Busby mark

IT’S hard to imagine the same words coming from the mouth of his predecessor but Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists that performances, rather than points, are his main focus.

The Norwegian has overseen three victories since replacing Jose Mourinho, whose methods were rarely entertaining but were often justified on the basis of winning trophies.

Like Solskjaer, Mourinho won his opening three games in charge at United but lost the fourth and, in the history of the club, only Matt Busby has enjoyed a better start to his tenure with five successive victories.

The fixture list has been kind to the 45-year-old with Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth acting as cannon fodder; however, it’s not just the 12 goals which they have scored but the effervescence of the performances which has re-ignited the supporters at Old Trafford.

“You don’t always get the results and points you maybe deserve and it’s about performances and playing the right way,” insisted Solskjaer.

“As long as you play the right way, if you dominate games, then, more often than not, you’ll get enough points in the end. You can’t control if it goes in off the post or out and things like that.”

United have not won at St James’ Park, the venue for tonight’s clash with Newcastle since 2015, with Matt Ritchie scoring the only goal of the game back in February which prompted Mourinho to say “we could have been here for 10 hours and not scored a goal”.

Given United’s recent run, Solskjaer is unlikely to have similar problems; however, he admitted that he has some concern over United’s defence.

“We are looking for that clean sheet, we are looking for that foundation to let those front four just go and enjoy themselves because, when you know you are keeping a clean sheet at the back, it is easier to perform and to create chances, nothing is rushed.”

Solskjaer, meanwhile, has already confirmed Alexis Sanchez will be in the squad for the first time since November after recovering from a hamstring problem, while Marcus Rashford is expected to be available.