OLE HITS BACK

UNITED MANAGER DEFENDS RECORD AND CLAIMS CLUB STILL BACK HIM

OLE GUNNAR Solskjaer knows he is under pressure but the Manchester United boss is confident his side will turn things around.

Odds on Solskjaer (pictured) being sacked were slashed after Saturday’s 4-2 Premier League defeat at Leicester – a fourth loss in seven games – yet he is understood to retain the backing of the club going into tonight’s Champions League group tie with Atalanta.

‘We’ve progressed over the years – sixth when I was there for half a season, then third, second,’ the United manager said yesterday.

‘We’ve signed players that have raised expectations. There’s pressure on me but we’ve been through this before and we’ve come through it stronger.’

The pressure is currently more external, with former Liverpool skipper Jamie Carragher taking aim at Solskjaer on Sky Sports. ‘No, it doesn’t affect me,’ the Norwegian said when asked about Carragher’s comments.

‘As long as the club believes in me, I’m pretty, pretty sure Jamie Carragher’s opinion is not going to change that.’ Solskjaer also defended his ‘absolutely amazing’ coaching staff and Cristiano Ronaldo’s tactical role, amid doubts about the 36-year-old’s ability or willingness to press from centre-forward.

‘We’ve got 11 players on the pitch, we’ve got different roles and responsibilities,’ added Solskjaer of Ronaldo, who yesterday posted, ‘Our time is coming! No excuses’ on Instagram.

‘Cristiano is a top player, we know what he can do for us and he’s doing everything verything he can do d to help the team.’

Solskjaer also tried to clear up comments from Friday, when he said fit-again Marcus Rashford, lauded for his work to tackle child food poverty, should ‘maybe prioritise his football’.

Sitting next to the forward, he said: ‘We’re unbelievably proud of what Marcus has done. You know what I said and made a headline out of one little comment I never intended to be the focus of what I was saying.’