Ole Gunnar Solskjaer evokes memories of Sir Alex Ferguson with Man Utd title pledge

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set himself the target of breaking Manchester United’s title drought as he evoked memories of Sir Alex Ferguson upon his unveiling as the club’s permanent manager.

And the Norwegian, who has been lauded for bringing the smiles back to Old Trafford, demonstrated his steely side with a warning to any players who fail to meet his expectations.

Solskjaer has been handed a three-year deal after his outstanding reign as interim – and admitted immediately put pressure on himself to return United to the summit of English football.

United’s last Premier League title came in Ferguson’s final season in charge in 2013.

As just as the legendary ex-manager famously vowed to knock Liverpool “off their f****** perch,” Solskjaer boldly predicted a bright future as he bids to usurp the Merseysiders and Manchester City at the top of the table.

In Pictures | Solskjaer's Man Utd reign

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“To lift the Premier League trophy again is what we expect, what we’re used to,” said the 46-year-old, who won six titles during his playing career at United. “We can’t wait too many years, but we have to take it step by step.

“I know the expectations of the club, the history and of course I want to be successful, lift trophies and I can’t wait to get onto the challenge of improving this great bunch of players. It’s a squad full of potential.”

Solskjaer has already been discussing transfer plans with executive vice chairman Ed Woodward, with Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Declan Rice, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Kalidou Koulibaly all under consideration.

Man Utd's Transfer Window shortlist

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And he insists he will show the door to any players who let their standards drop after such an impressive three months under him.

“Players who get complacent never last at this club, managers are same,” he said. “I can’t rest now I’ve got a job.

We’re looking forward and we’ve got to work harder.

“I’ve got some targets. I wouldn’t want a Man United team not to be one of the hardest working teams in the league and players know my expectations on the future.”

Solskjaer’s immediate target is a top four finish, with United two points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

“When I got the job we were 11 points behind fourth now we’ve given ourselves a great chance to be top three,” he added. “The short term target in the league. The Premier League is vital for us and we’ve been discussing how to move the club forward.

“We have sat down and discussed it, but now it’s easier to be clear about what we need to do, we will do some business this summer.

“When people get a new job and say it’s a dream job and have always dreamt about playing for this club, that’s more true to me than anyone.

“This has been my ultimate dream. Maybe it was a naive dream, but I’ve always had that dream in my mind to have this responsibility.”

28 March 2019

Bad news for Van Dijk

The news of Solskjaer's appointment is unlikely to have made much more than a murmur of acknowledgement across Liverpool.

Except if you're Virgil van Dijk.

The Liverpool defender is, arguably, the biggest loser from Thursday's announcement that Solskjaer has signed a three-year deal.

Solskjaer owns a property in the area from his playing days at Old Trafford and again lived there while in charge of the reserve team.

After moving back to his homeland to take charge of Molde, Solskjaer put the Cheshire property on the market and now Van Dijk is his tenant after the defender needed new digs after leaving Southampton for Anfield.

Solskjaer has been living in the Lowry Hotel during his interim spell in charge but is expected to want the keys back to his property now he's back in Manchester on a full-time basis.

When asked earlier in March about his landlord-tenant relationship with Van Dijk should he be appointed permanently, Solskjaer replied: "Yeah, he's evicted."

28 March 2019

Man Utd stars react

Marcus Rashford and Chris Smalling have taken to Twitter to congratulate Solskjaer...

28 March 2019

Relief for Tottenham

Solskjaer's confirmation as United manager will no doubt come as a welcome relief to the likes of Daniel Levy and Spurs fans, who will no longer face a nervous wait to see whether United pursue Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine had been Woodward's long-term No.1 choice for the job, but with United hiring Solskjaer and Real Madrid also bringing back Zinedine Zidane, it looks almost certain that Pochettino will be in the home dugout at Tottenham's new stadium next season.

28 March 2019

Neville: United must back Solskjaer in the market

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has called for the club to back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the transfer market after handing the Norwegian a three-year-deal at Old Trafford.

"I’m delighted for Ole," the former defender tweeted. "I didn’t think this would happen when he was appointed.

"However, the results and spirit in the club have been incredible since he arrived and he deserves it. He now needs support in the transfer market in terms of finance and the right resource."

28 March 2019

Woodward reacts

United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said: "Since coming in as caretaker manager in December, the results Ole has delivered speak for themselves.

"More than just performances and results, Ole brings a wealth of experience, both as a player and as a coach, coupled with a desire to give young players their chance and a deep understanding of the culture of the club.

"This all means that he is the right person to take Manchester United forward. I want to thank Ole and the coaching team for everything they have done so far and congratulate him on this richly-deserved appointment.

"The fans and everyone at the club are behind him as he looks to take us where we need to be and build the next stage of our history."

28 March 2019

Solskjaer will face the press for the first time as United's full-time manager later today at 4pm - it's meant to be a preview for Saturday's Premier League clash against Watford, but he may be talking a little bit more about himself than he would usually prefer...

28 March 2019

Solskjaer's Man Utd record

Ole boasts a formidable record so far at Old Trafford, with a higher win percentage than any other manager...

28 March 2019

Solskjaer reacts

“From the first day I arrived, I felt at home at this special club. It was an honour to be a Manchester United player, and then to start my coaching career here.

"The last few months have been a fantastic experience and I want to thank all of the coaches, players and staff for the work we’ve done so far.

"This is the job that I always dreamed of doing and I’m beyond excited to have the chance to lead the club long-term and hopefully deliver the continued success that our amazing fans deserve."

28 March 2019

So, it's official... Ole's at the wheel for good!

Standard Sport's James Robson had reported earlier this month that Solskjaer's confirmation was simply a matter of time following United's stunning Champions League comeback against PSG, and the 'baby-faced assassin' has been handed a three-year deal from this summer onwards.

It is a massive show of faith in Solskjaer, but you can't say that the Norwegian hasn't risen to the challenge so far.

28 March 2019

Welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of this morning's breaking news that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been appointed as Man Utd manager on a three-year deal.

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