Beleaguered United boss Solskjaer takes training ahead of weekend trip to Spurs

Under-fire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was at training yesterday as the Manchester United manager prepares to lead the side to Tottenham amid intense scrutiny and pressure.

A poor recent run reached its nadir on Sunday when relentless rivals Liverpool ran amok and secured their biggest ever win at Old Trafford.

United put in a feeble display in a 5-0 defeat that left Solskjaer reflecting on his "darkest day" at the helm, with the side hitting "rock bottom" as his position became more precarious than ever.

But while speculation and introspection continues, the Norwegian is still expected be in charge for Saturday's trip to Tottenham. Preparations for that key Premier League game started yesterday, with a club source confirming Solskjaer was at Carrington for training after the players had a day off on Monday.

There will no doubt be some difficult conversations after a humiliating loss that provides the biggest test of the United hierarchy's support for the 1999 treble hero, who they handed a new three-year deal to in the summer.

If Solskjaer does leave, the current bookmakers' favourite to come in as United manager is Antonio Conte.

The ex-chelsea boss, who has won the league in England and Italy, is out of work since leaving Inter Milan in the summer, with his temperament admired by some but said to be concerning others.

Zinedine Zidane, the former Real Madrid head coach, is reportedly not interested in returning to management at United, while long-admired Mauricio Pochettino is now in work at Paris St Germain.