Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Tottenham clash is first proper test of audition for permanent job

Winning start: Solskjaer has won five on the spin since taking the role
PA

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims his head-to-head with Mauricio Pochettino will be the first ‘proper test’ of his Manchester United reign.

The Norwegian can strengthen his bid to be given the job on a permanent basis with victory against Tottenham and the man leading the race to be named Jose Mourinho’s successor.

Pochettino is executive vice chairman Ed Woodward’s top choice to take over at the end of the season. But Solskjaer will do his own chances a world of good by coming out on top against the Argentine.

The 1999 Treble-winning hero continued his perfect start at United with a 2-0 win against Reading in the FA Cup third round.

He equalled Sir Matt Busby’s record of five straight wins as the start of his manager reign – but concedes Tottenham will provide his biggest challenge yet.

“Spurs away, Wembley, that’s a proper test,” he said. “We’re looking forward to that one. That will give me more of a reference for where we are against the top boys.

“We’re not happy talking about fifth, sixth or fourth in a year or two. The club needs to move on and move up the table.”

Solskjaer has made no secret of his intention to give Woodward a difficult decision at the end of the season.

United have already begun their search for their next permanent manager, with Pochettino, Max Allegri, Zinedine Zidane and Diego Simeone all under consideration.

Solskjaer was told that process would continue regardless of his results on the pitch – but he could establish himself as a serious candidate if he leads United to Champions League qualification.

Looking ahead to Spurs and potentially pivotal games against Liverpool and Paris St Germain next month, he is relishing the opportunity to prove his credentials.

Man United squad 2019-20 | Injuries, contracts and squad numbers

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“You never anticipate setbacks,” he added. “When you’re at Man United you expect to go into the next game and you expect the players to expect to win the game and I expect any Man United team I put out to win the next game.

“That doesn’t mean I expect us to win all the games because it doesn’t happen, but they do go into a game and expect to win that one.

“We need to use this week well to work towards that game, but also towards Paris St Germain, we’ve got Liverpool in February.

“You just don’t make it for the Tottenham game, we prepare for this one, we prepare for when we play the bigger and better teams.”

Audition: Solskjaer wants the job on a permanent basis
PA

Solskjaer is convinced United will improve under him, despite already equalling Sir Matt Busby’s record of five straight wins at the start of his managerial reign.

“I think the players are getting confidence and the feeling that we have momentum,” he said. “It’s about keeping it up and let’s see where it takes us.

“We’re always good towards the end of the season anyway.

“I’m not going to say top-four is our target because my target is the next game, but my target is also a certain way of playing.

“That certain way of playing will get us to where we belong in the end. I can’t say ‘if we get top-four it’s a success, if we don’t it’s not a success’, it depends on the performances.”

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