Ole Gunnar Solskjaer responds to Gary Neville’s criticism of Manchester United crisis

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has agreed that Manchester United will have to deliver silverware to justify spending on the transfer market this summer, but believes the “pressure is a privilege”.

Three losses in four games have intensified scrutiny of Solskjaer and United’s mixed start to the season, with ex-teammate Gary Neville claiming after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa that a first trophy under the Norwegian is required over the next 18 months. .

Neville also questioned United’s style of play, suggesting they rely too much on individual moments like Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes compared to rivals like Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Solskjaer claimed not to have heard Neville’s remarks but admitted that the high-profile arrivals of Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho this summer have raised expectations at Old Trafford and that football is a “business of results”.

“Pressure is a privilege. To work in this environment, you have to accept this pressure,” Solskjaer said.

“Yes [Neville] said we have to win a trophy this season or the next because of the support, I have to say yes I have been supported and the progress and the process have worked well.

“I have to say that with the support I have, it seems to me that we are sticking to this plan, but we are in a business of results. We are here to win, we are here to progress. Clearly we we have improved, expectations have improved with our signings and with better performance.

“I’m here to win. Don’t think twice. Gary knows that and I talk to Gary too. I know that here at this club we have an obligation to win and we have an obligation to win in a certain style of play and play as we want.

“Sometimes it’s risky and you lose one or two. Lately we may have lost a game or two, we changed teams to the Carabao Cup and the consequence is that we are out of the cup but that this is how we do things and we will get there.

“Hopefully we get there around April or May, challenging those trophies we’d like to see again at Old Trafford.”

United return to the Champions League on Wednesday night against Villarreal and hope to make up for lost ground, having been beaten in their first Group F meeting against Young Boys.

Solskjaer also saw a second-string team knocked out of the EFL Cup by West Ham last week and United’s mixed fortunes have led to questions about their playing style and the Norwegian’s handling of the game.

“Of course you’re working on your style of play, the patterns, your possession game and your non-possession game,” Solskjaer said.

“The Aston Villa game, we broke the game very well defensively, we attacked maybe too fast – we want a fast attacking game Gary knows, everyone who has been associated with Man United knows that we want to keep the pace and attack quickly when we can.

“Maybe we did it too fast because if you look at the statistics I don’t think I’ve seen any games with less efficient playing time. 45 minutes the referee gave us. 45 minutes of playing time strength is probably one of the lowest I have seen, normally you are up to 55-60 years old.

“Maybe it’s because we finished the attacks too quickly and even with Villa they did. So more control and then you slow down too much and you could be against a low block again.

“We know Villarreal is defending well and they will be difficult to face, we have to play fast. But Gary knows the DNA here at the club and what we’re trying to do.”

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