Ole out to get him firing again

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER admits getting the best out of Paul Pogba is one of his biggest challenges at Manchester United.

The club’s record £89m signing – a World Cup winner with France – started former boss Jose Mourinho’s final three Premier League games on the bench.

Mourinho mistrusted Pogba and clashed with his most high-profile player on numerous occasions, stripping him of the captaincy and berating him publicly as their relationship broke down.

United’s new caretaker boss Solskjaer worked with Pogba when he was in charge of United reserves and is convinced he can unlock the midfielder’s full potential – and restore his confidence and form, something Mourinho seemed determined to destroy.

The 25-year-old is set to be handed his first Premier League start since December 1 at Cardiff today, in what is Solskjaer’s first game in charge, having taken over following Mourinho’s dismissal.

“He’s a World Cup winner,” said Solskjaer. “Paul is a terrific lad and when I had him as a kid, he was always happygo-lucky.

“He hasn’t changed, personality-wise. He’s a better player, of course, and he’s one that I want to get the best out of.

“We have so many quality players that I want to get the best out of. He’s no different to anyone else in that respect. I’m not sure about saying the power has gone to the dressing room. The power is with the manager.

“He picks the team, the tactics, the strategy. The philosophy is in these walls.

“That legacy is more important than any player power. Being a Manchester United player is a privilege and I think all of them want to succeed here.”

Pogba was criticised for an Instagram post he put up within minutes of Mourinho’s sacking, showing a picture of him smirking with the message ‘Caption this’.

The post was hastily deleted, but caused outrage, with former United skipper Gary Neville replying ‘You do one as well!’ and criticising Pogba for gloating over Mourinho’s exit.

Solskjaer, 45, tackled the issue head on and said he had spoken to Pogba and the rest of the United squad and reminded them of their responsibilities, but denied there was too much power within the dressing room.

Trust

“We’ve spoken about what we expect, what standards we have on and off the pitch,” said Solskjaer.

“I trust the lads to know what they’re doing, to help the team. Everything we do is to help the team.

“But the world has changed now. I’m not into this social media. My kids are, but I’m that old that I’m not on Twitter or Facebook. That’s just common sense for me, what I’ve spoken to them about. We move this forward. We have one target – that we succeed – and we do that as a team.” Solskjaer’s first task is to restore the feel-good factor to a squad left broken by Mourinho’s aggressive style of management and get players such as Pogba playing with freedom.

“Sir Alex Ferguson – even going all the way back to Sir Matt Busby – installed that way of playing fantastic football,” Solskjaer added.

“We’re too far down the league. We’re not used to being sixth. We are used to challenging for the league.

“Of course, that’s maybe a step too far now, too many points back, but that’s where we have to aim and to look forward.

“I don’t know if they haven’t been enjoying it, because I haven’t asked them.

“But my job is to make them enjoy football and play their best football, because when you are a kid, you love playing football and they must enjoy going out at Old Trafford. “Everyone starts with a clean slate. “Everyone is part of Manchester United with me as the coach or manager.

“I always feel players play better when they’re happy – and that’s just the way I’ll manage them.”