OLE'S MESSAGE TO THE UNITED SUPPORTERS

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took some time over the past few days to look at some of the predictions for his Manchester United side this season.

The boss was reminded how his team had been written off and, after a mixed start to the campaign with key players missing for long periods, the pressure was on - as is always the case at United.

Yet a splendid showing since football resumed has clinched third place in the Premier League table and, probably more importantly, Ole believes the connection is now stronger between the supporters and the players - even if the fans can't make their feelings heard in the stadiums at the moment.

It is this bond that the manager hopes will help propel the Reds to bigger and better things, with a trophy next on the agenda. The Europa League offers that route to silverware but hopes are high that the club is very much heading in the right direction again.

“I think we’ve seen it the whole season, it’s not been easy playing for Manchester United, if you look back and if you read all the papers – blah, blah, blah,” Ole told MUTV's Stewart Gardner at the King Power Stadium. “I’ve actually done that the last few days and we were predicted [to finish] about sixth position and we’ve ended up third. Liverpool and City, of course, have been running away with it in the last couple of seasons so to get third is a massive achievement for the team.

“The players and the staff have worked so hard. I told them this morning, we’ve won [already] because we’ve come together as a team. Your viewers, our fans, know that as well. We are going places and we’ve got a team you can like. You can see the DNA of Manchester United. At least that’s what I feel.
“Today was not a classic Manchester United performance but, in the first half, we controlled it and, in the second half, when they had to come for us, we defended really well.”

The supporters will rightly feel satisfied - and excited - as we can look forward to the season continuing with the Europa League, safe in the knowledge that Champions League qualification is already assured.

Hopefully, this third-placed finish can be an important step for the team Ole is building.