Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has replied to criticism that he's "tactically inept" before his side's Premier League match against Liverpool.
Solskjaer's team boast a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League as they head to Anfield. They have put together an 11-game unbeaten run in the league (nine wins, two draws) as the Norwegian has seemingly answered his critics.
But they still exist, especially given Solskjaer's lack of success at the top level of management before he was given the Man United job. And Stadium Astro host Adam Carruthers asked Solskjaer directly whether he thought the label of tactical ineptitude was "unfair" in an interview.
"I don't really read or hear too much, so if that's the narrative then that's alright with me," said Solskjaer, as reported by the Metro.
Advert
"You know there's a way of every single manager in the world that could sit and find the best way to get a result in this game or any individual game. We've proven many times ourselves against Paris Saint-Germain a couple of times and in the big games you think, 'We should do that every time.'
"But the big thing for me is that we create a way that the players are comfortable with. We [must] find a way of playing to go into every single game [so that] we're confident on... 'This is what we're going to do.'"
What's fascinating is that, rather than chopping or changing his team's tactics every week, Solskjaer claims he wants his United side to have a defined style of play.
Advert
This is a similar game plan to that of his former Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson.
The legendary manager would sometimes adjust his team's set-up to suit certain opponents. But in general, Ferguson wanted his side to own a consistent style of play - and for United to impose their own game - rather than making regular tactical adjustments in the style of a Rafa Benitez or Jose Mourinho.
"OK maybe you tweak it a little bit - but we have to find a style that will give you results in the long run without having to change," added Solskjaer.
Advert
"I think the best teams in the world that win things they trust themselves, they don't chop and change ways of planning for every single one of them.
"OK, maybe a change here and there but it's also about the players performing to their capabilities and you see the players playing now - they're playing really well.
"It's not always the great manager that wins games or the bad one that loses, it's fine margins. We're working on a way that the team will feel comfortable going into every game."
Advert
All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Man utd, Premier League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer