Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to make it six straight league victories on the bounce when Manchester United welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Old Trafford this weekend.
After overcoming his biggest test thus far by bagging all three points at Wembley against Tottenham Hotspur, the Baby-Faced Assassin should be quietly confident of securing his fourth consecutive win at the Theatre of Dreams since taking over from Jose Mourinho.
The Seagulls however were impressively resilient against Premier League frontrunners Liverpool, and were unfortunate to suffer defeat last week at the AMEX Stadium due to yet another dubious Mohamed Salah penalty.
This Saturday, Solskjaer Manchester United will also hope to lock their third successive clean sheet – and fourth in all competitions – more than they managed in their first 20 games of the season.
The Norwegian has held his press conference ahead of their next EPL, was asked about injuries affecting his squad, the improvement of particular players, potential transfers, as well as the looming issue of the extent of his tenure and – arguably more importantly – how long he will remain in the Lowry Hotel, the infamous abode of his predecessor for all of his two and a half years.
Midfielder Marouane Fellaini is ruled out of contention for a starting berth for the next month with a calf injury, amidst speculation the Belgian is due to leave in a £15 million move this month.
The manager also gushed over his perfect start to life at the helm of Manchester .
“I love it to be fair, and I have to say I look forward to getting up in the morning to start work again, I always do in football. Molde, Cardiff, I love working with people, trying to improve people and here you want to go to bed at night. I’m still in the hotel but I’ve found a place and won’t be too long. I’ve been driving around a bit and finding my bearings, I’ve met mates so it’s not like I’m on my own.”
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Transfer speculation has been rife, with Manchester United fans on tenterhooks to see who will arrive at Old Trafford this January transfer window.
Koulibaly? Carrasco? Wan-Bissaka? Unfortunately not.
Solskjaer has seemingly ruled out any activity on his club’s part. Asked whether he expects any incomings this month, the 45-year-old responded;
“No, not really.”
With Manchester United ticking over nicely and reigniting a genuine top four battle, the news shouldn’t sit too unpleasantly with Red Devils. However, in working towards competition with the likes of their ferocious rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, players of a certain calibre would have been most welcome at the Theatre of Dreams.