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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms Sir Alex Ferguson talks and vows to fight back at Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms Sir Alex Ferguson talks and vows to fight back at Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident that he can ‘fight back’ at Manchester United and even become as successful as Sir Alex Ferguson, having spoken to his iconic former boss earlier this week.

Solskjaer is under enormous pressure in the United hotseat after a woeful run of form that has seen his struggling side pick up just one point from four Premier League matches, with a new low coming last weekend when rampant rivals Liverpool ran riot in a humiliating 5-0 thrashing at Old Trafford.

There have been talks over the Norwegian’s future among the United hierarchy this week, with co-chairman Joel Glazer believed to be keen to still see Solskjaer succeed, while Ferguson - who cut a frustrated figure in the stands on Sunday - is also said to be in support of his ex-player, having visited the club’s Carrington training ground earlier this week.

Solskjaer remains in his post for now, but has been offered no long-term assurances over his future with the likes of Antonio Conte, Mauricio Pochettino and now Brendan Rodgers all linked with the job.

When asked before a crucial clash with Tottenham whether he had spoken to Ferguson and was confident of bouncing back to emulate the great Scot, Solskjaer told reporters on Friday: “Yes, on both accounts. We had a commercial day, and Sir Alex came to do some commercial stuff. I met him and spoke to him, just for a brief moment.

“I’ve been through some very bad moments here as a player and when I’ve been a coach and a manager as well.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

“I’ve had to deal with setbacks, there’s probably been two or three crises at least since I became the manager here. One thing I can say is that I’ll always give it a good shot and fight back.”

He added: “We need a reaction and it’s my job to put the players in the right frame of mind.

“I’m responsible for the reaction, the result, the performance, and we’ve worked on the pitch. We’ve worked on everything that needs to be sorted for a footballer - and that’s not just one bit, it’s not just frame of mind, it’s game plan, tactics, technically. We’ve had a good week and I feel the boys are ready to give their best.

“Sometimes when you come in for criticism like we’re doing, you get into the trenches with your team-mates, and that reaction I’ve seen this week. This club, with whatever we’ve been through before, it’s always about getting through with courage, togetherness, teamwork, self-belief and sticking together, and this group has done.”

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