90min

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Insists the 'Spotlight' Should Be on Him Amid Poor Man Utd Form

By Adam Aladay

Solskjaer has accepted the pressure should be on him
Solskjaer has accepted the pressure should be on him / Alex Livesey/Getty Images
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Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has accepted that the 'spotlight' should be on him after his side's hugely disappointing start to the season - but has insisted that the Red Devils' tough run of fixtures is an opportunity for the squad to show their mental resilience.

United have lost two of their first three Premier League games of the season, with the only three points so far coming in fortuitous fashion against Brighton. Last time out, Solskjaer's men fell to a humiliating 6-1 defeat at home to Tottenham to ramp up the pressure on the boss.

The English giants now enter into a potentially season-defining period. United's next seven games come against Newcastle, PSG, Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Arsenal, Istanbul Başakşehir and Everton.

United fell to a dismal 6-1 defeat at home to Spurs prior to the international break
United fell to a dismal 6-1 defeat at home to Spurs prior to the international break / Pool/Getty Images

Speaking ahead of the Red Devils' trip to Newcastle on Saturday, Solskjaer accepted that as manager, the spotlight should be focused on him as a result of his side's early season form. But he has insisted this upcoming period of seven tough games in 21 days is a major opportunity to bounce back.

“The spotlight should be on me, because I’m the manager and I’m responsible,” Solskjaer told the media ahead of Saturday's game, as quoted by the Mirror.

“Last season was also hard, we played nine games and only won first of the two nine games, which was difficult. But if you’re part of Manchester United as a player or staff, you’re used to this and you have to be mentally strong. For me, this period is another chance to prove that.

"It’s about being focused for the next game, because I know they’re capable of getting results and moving up the table.”

United's poor run of form has seen Solskjaer come under increased pressure to deliver. But such a tough run of fixtures will be a challenge for any side, let alone a squad lacking in confidence. Nonetheless, Solskjaer will be desperate to see his side use this opportunity to not only regain their confidence, but also to once again prove their worth on the big stage.