Interim United boss lets guard down for the first time since arriving at Old Trafford to rubbish negative style players were being asked to play by the Special One
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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has appeared to take a swipe at Jose Mourinho – by branding the negative tactics he inherited at Manchester United “stupid”.
Solskjaer has led United to six straight wins since arriving at Old Trafford in the wake of Mourinho’s sacking last month.
Until now he has been careful not to criticise the work of his predecessor, but he looks to have let his guard down for the first time in an interview with Malaysian TV station Astro Supersport.
Solskjaer said: "Man Utd is built around, attacking football and going forwards, not stupid square and backpasses."
The comment about square passes is thought to have been a direct reference to the style of play he discovered in his squad when he arrived just before Christmas.
United’s six match winning run has seen the 45-year-old let the handbrake off his players after the negative style of play adopted by Mourinho in the final months of his reign in charge.
The team have scored 17 in those six matches to put themselves back in the race for a top four finish this season.
Solskjaer joined Teddy Sheringham on Astro Supersport after the 1-0 win over Tottenham, and was asked by his former team-mate what he needed to change.
The United boss said: "The first thing you talk about is that you do need to smile when you are a Manchester United player, you do enjoy it because when it’s over, you miss it.
“It’s about at attacking, it’s about pace, power, attack quickly.
"I know we didn’t have the best of pace but we still attacked.
“That’s what Man Utd is built around, attacking football and going forwards, not stupid square and backpasses.”
Solskjaer's impact since arriving on a short-term basis has strengthened his claims to get the job on a permanent basis.
But Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino remains the club's clear preferred choice, but another target Gareth Southgate appears ready to reject any advances to stay on as England manager.
