Solskjaer’s first call will be to his mentor Fergie

REPORTS

of the club has developed but the philosophy is in these walls. That legacy is more important than any player power.”

The esteem in which Solskjaer holds a man he still calls “the manager” has never been in much doubt given the history and success he shares with his former mentor. And United are clearly hoping Solskjaer can build the bridge back to the style and culture of Fergsuon’s reign.

The 45-year-old maintained he was not focusing on what had gone wrong in the five years since Ferguson left, but instead on the next five months and reaching fourth spot.

That included making it clear to players who might have fallen out with Mourinho that this was a fresh start: “Everyone has a clean slate,” he said.

If Paul Pogba, above, was not already buoyed by those words, Solskjaer gave more encouragement to a player he coached during his stint as United’s reserve-team manager between 2008-11.

“Paul is a terrific lad and when I had him as a kid he was always there, the happy-go-lucky lad. He hasn’t changed personality-wise,” said Solskjaer. “He’s a better player, of course, and he’s one that I want to get the best out of.”

Pogba should also feel that now is the perfect time to back up his new manager on the pitch with some performances befitting his transfer fee and World Cup achievements.

If not, Solskjaer suggested he was not here to just roll over. “I am not afraid of laying down the law,” he said. “You know with your kids, when they disappoint you, you tell them off, you don’t give them some chocolate, do you?

“So you treat players similar to how you treat your kids, really, because you want the best for them, you want to guide them, your want to help them.

“But if I get disappointed? Ask Noah or Karna or Elijah, or some of the players I had in Molde. Once in a while you really have to tell them the standards we have.”