Manchester United director of football John Murtough has backed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and has discussed building a squad capable of challenging for major honours.
United have won just two of their past six fixtures across all competitions after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Everton, increasing the scrutiny on Solskjaer’s position following a mixed start to the new campaign.
The Red Devils invested during the summer to bring in Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho, raising expectations that the club can challenge for major trophies this season.
Murtough has discussed the club’s progress and insists it is important the Red Devils ‘don’t deviate’ from their plan and has backed Solskjaer to bring success from the club.
“One thing we do is just keep control – emotionally we don’t get carried away, we don’t deviate from our plan,” Murtough told a meeting with a fans’ forum. “Ole and the staff are very focused on that. We don’t get distracted by what’s said on social media, which can sometimes create fervour and hysteria. It’s part of the modern game, but we’re very focused.
“The Premier League is one of most competitive leagues in the world – players in from abroad and other leagues tell us how different it is – but we are 100% up for this challenge.
Murtough also spoke on the club’s recruitment and says United have a ‘full process in place’, believing the current squad has a good ‘balance’ between youth and experience.
“We’re aiming for consistency and continuity in recruitment. We have a full process in place, making sure we’re planned in what we do.
“Squad development is never-ending and constantly evolving. We’re sitting down with Ole and we’re talking about future plans in terms of where the squad will go and how we think it will develop.
“We want to balance squads with the right profile in terms of positions and in terms of age. The current squad has good balance with young, exciting players coming through, and those in the middle in the prime of their careers. And then you’ve the more experienced group – we can learn a lot from them, and they’re already having an impact on some of the younger players.
“We want a squad that can challenge today but also in the future as well.”
