OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER DISCUSSES DEALING WITH PRESSURE AS A MANAGER
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has fired back at Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes over recent criticism of his Manchester United tactics.
Scholes recently claimed United are lacking balance between defence and attack depending on which formation Solskjaer uses.
Meanwhile, fellow United legend Ferdinand has been a vocal sceptic of the decision to use a back three in fixtures including the 3-2 defeat at RB Leipzig, which saw the Red Devils eliminated from the Champions League.
Solskjaer has used a midfield diamond to good effect at times this campaign, while a compact 4-2-3-1 held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw in last weekend's derby.
© Manchester United via Getty ImagSolskjaer has defended his changes of formation
Responding to criticism of his regular tweaks, Solskjaer said: "What was the change in formation then, you tell me?
"It was a 4-2-3-1 and coming into that pocket is probably Paul's favourite position. Paul did well and the team's shape was as it normally is.
"Twice we played three at the back - we beat PSG and lost to Leipzig - we played a full game with a diamond and two half games with a diamond.
© PETER POWELL/EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockScholes and Ferdinand have been critical of the United boss in recent weeks
"Four out of 22 games isn't bad for consistency of a normal shape.
"That's what we work on more or less every day. Some details will change within the same system.
"If you have Dan James on the left wing instead of Paul Pogba, or Marcus Rashford on the right instead of Juan Mata, it's a different scenario.
"Sometimes you look at the opposition and where we need players with different qualities.
"I think they're coping well with it."
United travel to Premier League stragglers Sheffield United on Thursday night hoping to close the four-point gap on the Champions League spots.
But Solskjaer will almost certainly be without striker Edinson Cavani for the trip to Bramall Lane as the Uruguayan recovers from injury.
Which formation is best-suited to Manchester United's players? Have your say here.
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