Ole unfazed by Neville ramping up the pressure
MAN UNITED v VILLARREAL 8PM, BT SPORT 3
OLE GUNNAR Solskjaer is embracing the stresses of being Manchester United boss after former teammate Gary Neville joined those piling on the pressure.
The Norwegian again underlined his determination to bring silverware back to Old Trafford ahead of tonight’s Champions League visit of Villarreal.
Having succeeded Jose Mourinho in December 2018, Solskjaer has yet to clinch a trophy.
A penalty shoot-out loss to tonight’s visitors in last season’s Europa League final is the closest they have come and after the feel-good factor of Cristiano Ronaldo’s return, the mood has been hit by three defeats in four matches.
Saturday’s 1-0 loss at home to Aston Villa led scrutiny to ratchet up on Solskjaer, following the Carabao Cup exit to West Ham and shock defeat at Young Boys in their Group F opener.
Bookmakers have cut odds on Solskjaer being the next Premier League manager sacked but the United boss seems comfortable under the spotlight.
He did not flinch at Neville’s recent comments about United’s playing style and need to win a trophy in the next 18 months having signed Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
‘He’s always got loads to say, Gary!’ Solskjaer said. ‘I’m used to Gary. He’s always said a lot, when I was sat next to him as well in the dressing room.
‘That pressure is a privilege. To work in this environment, you have to embrace that pressure.
‘If he says we need to win a trophy this season or the next, well, because of the backing, I have got to say, yes I have been backed. The progress and the process has worked well. I have to say the backing I’ve got seems to me that we’re sticking to that plan.
‘But we’re in a results business. We’re here to win, we’re here to get up there and clearly we’ve improved, expectations have improved with the signings and better performances.
‘We have an obligation to win in a certain style of play and play the way we want. Sometimes that’s risky and you lose one or two. But that’s the way we do things and we’ll get there. Hopefully we’ll get there around April or May challenging for the trophies that we’d like to see back at Old Trafford.’
Solskjaer says Harry Maguire is facing a ‘few weeks’ out with a calf injury but Luke Shaw, who limped off against Villa, could be back tonight.