Big tests yet to come for Solksjaer, says Saints’ boss

SOUTHAMPTON manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has hailed the work of Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – but feels big challenges are to come for the Norwegian at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are the in-form side in the Premier League with four wins from four, which has boosted their chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

Solskjaer was under pressure at the beginning of the campaign but the January arrival of Bruno Fernandes has helped the ex-united striker turn things around.

While Hasenhuttl is a fan of his opposite number tomorrow night, he is aware of the targets and expectation set by a big club.

He said: “In the beginning, people did not underestimate Ole as he had a very good start and was winning all the games. Then it was the opposite.

“Now it is a little bit special for everyone around the world to see what he is doing and that is a problem in our business.

“It is more important he is convinced about what he is doing and at the moment he is proving all the experts wrong.

“The signing of Fernandes in the winter has helped them massively. That is clear.

“The team is completely reorganised and very different – but still the big challenges are to come.

“With such a club, it is always important you don’t just have a good 100-metre record but one for the marathon.

“To be successful with such a club you have to develop the team and game every day over the whole season – you can never stop learning and improving.

“Never stop winning because winning is normal and losing is always a disaster so that is the challenge with these sort of clubs.

“Right now, he is doing a good job in that respect.”

Southampton head to Old Trafford in excellent shape with recent victories achieved against Watford and more notably Manchester City.

It was put to Hasenhuttl this current period of Premier League fixtures packed into a tight schedule mirrors an international tournament.

The Austrian enjoyed the build up to the resumption of top-flight football but would not be happy to wait so long between matches.

Hasenhuttl added: “We had a very long break and then you are hungry.

“We had lots of time to analyse and work on our playbook – it is massive – and to see what we have done right and wrong.

“You don’t really have that opportunity very often.

“I am really happy we had this period and I have enjoyed it.”