Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains why he deserves time as manager despite worrying results

Solskjaer compares United tenure to planting a seed for a tree to grow

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United via Getty Images)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has urged his superiors at Manchester United to show patience with his project and not "rip up the tree" he has planted at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer has come under increased pressure this week following back-to-back defeats against Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir amid a difficult start to the new season.

United travel to Goodison Park to play Everton on Saturday lunchtime knowing that defeat could leave them just one point above the relegation zone after seven games.

Solskjaer retains the support of the United hierarchy, even with former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino available and widely linked with Old Trafford.

And Solskjaer believes he deserves time to make a success of his time in charge, comparing his tenure to planting a seed and watching a tree grow.

"I have to say that all my conversations with the club have been planning long term," he stressed at his pre-match press conference on Friday.  

"Of course we want results short term but I’ve had positive, good, open dialogue with the plans that we have put in place.  

"We have planted a seed, the tree is growing. Some clubs rip up the tree and see if it’s still growing and if it’s still getting water underneath. "

Solskjaer added: "For me I’ve had backing all the way since I’ve come in on a bigger picture. And the club needs to look at the bigger picture.  

"We can’t go thinking one or two results… or react to one or two results, we’ve got to look further back and look at the direction we go in."

Solskjaer insisted that the external pressure was not taking its toll on him and that he is focused solely on turning United's form around.

When asked whether he finds management enjoyable when compared to playing, the former United striker said: "Of course you can enjoy it, I’m not happy at being under pressure.  

"The pressure of leading and managing Manchester United is a pressure that, you have to have strong shoulders and a strong head to carry.  

"Also same the other way, I’m never really in too dark a place when I’m not playing well, or the team are not doing well, and I’m not too carried away when I played well or now when the team’s doing well.  

"You have to have a consistency in the way we communicate with the players, work with the players because otherwise it is too much reacting.  

"We still have a plan in place, you’re proactive and continue that plan, of course some results and performances need a different reaction to what you’ve planned."

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