Ole Gunnar Solskjaer safe at Manchester United - reports

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is safe at Old Trafford, according to reports, despite a tough run of games coming up after the international break.

Solskjaer’s third season with United has started poorly, with defeat away to Young Boys in the Champions League, a depressing lost to the mediocre Aston Villa, and a draw against Everton, who are managed by Rafael Benitez, FFS.

That is just a few of the disappointments served up by the Norwegian, who managed the twin feat last season of United’s best season since Alex Ferguson left, coupled with some deeply average showings.

Nonetheless, expectations were raised when he was rewarded with the arrival of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, and the return of Cristiano Ronaldo after he decided to leave Juventus as the Italian side began to struggle in Serie A.

The Sun - who have some of the best sources for news at Old Trafford - claim that United are taking a long-term view over Solskjaer’s management and are generally happy with the direction of travel, and do not want to replace him with a talented manager.

After the international break United have a string of tough games. They face Leicester City in the Premier League, before an important Champions League test against Atalanta.

Thereafter they have Liverpool, Tottenham, Atalanta, Manchester City in consecutive games, and will face Chelsea and Arsenal at the end of November.

There are a couple of managers currently out of work who might tempt United to act should things get desperate before the January transfer window. Antonio Conte left Inter Milan after winning Serie A with the Italians, but lets himself down by being very annoying. Zinedine Zidane is free after leaving Real Madrid, but presumably he’s not stupid enough to move to United.