PRESSURE... BUT NO PANIC

Solskjaer insists he has a plan to turn around United’s worst start in 27 years

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says he still has the backing of the Manchester United board and is not feeling the heat – despite the club’s worst start for 27 years.

United host Leicester today after earning just two points from their past three games, needing to deliver a win to get back on track.

Solskjaer has not been helped by a major injury crisis, with Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot all sidelined, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jesse Lingard are doubtful.

Despite mounting injuries and their joint-worst start since the 1992-93 season, Solskjaer remains confident he has United heading in the right direction.

“There’s always pressure when you’re here but, of course, I’m confident in what we’re doing,” said Solskjaer.

“We’ve got a plan – and the performances haven’t told me that we need to change direction.

“Results, that’s a different matter, but when you concede three goals from four chances, there’s not a lot we can control.

“So they’re games we should have won. We know that, but that’s another matter – we need to score the goals. We can control how we play, how we practise and how we prepare.

“We’ve lost one game since July 1 and it sounds like we’re really struggling, but that’s just the way it is at United and you have to handle it.

“We want to get the results we feel we deserve and now is the time. We’re coming into a busy period now and we don’t want to be behind Tottenham, Chelsea or Arsenal for that position.

“There’s Leicester and Everton – there are loads of teams who want to get in there. We need to make sure we get on a winning streak and get the results.” United also face the threat of losing David De Gea for nothing at the end of the season, with the Spaniard out of contract in the summer and yet to sign a new deal.

But Solskjaer remains optimistic, adding: “I’ve obviously not been involved in all the discussions, but I’m pretty confident we’ll get this sorted. David’s never, ever said anything else to me, other than that he loves this club.

“So let’s hope we get it over the line.”

MANCHESTER

UNITED (probable):

De Gea; Young, Lindelof,

Maguire, Rojo; Matic,

McTominay; Pereira,

Mata, James;

Rashford.

LEICESTER (probable): Schmeichel;

Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell;

Nididi, Tielemans; Maddison, Barnes,

Albrighton; Vardy.