Solskjaer has brought in Keane, Giggs and a team of analysts to tranform United

Manchester United's dramatic turnaround in form has coincided with a host of changes behind the scenes from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - such as drafting in club legends such as Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs to inspire the team, reports claim.

The Red Devils are joint-top of the Premier League alongside rivals Liverpool after four wins in their last five games, with the team bouncing back from one of their worst starts to a season.

Solskjaer found himself under immense pressure following some patchy form and worrying defeats - including a 6-1 home thrashing to Tottenham in October - and became one of the favourites for the sack.

But he has worked hard in the background to improve the team's fortunes and create 'a family feel' at their Carrington training ground, according to the Athletic.

Solskjaer has been 'grafting hard' at Old Trafford while many bookies had him as one of their favourites for the axe and he stayed in Manchester during the recent international break in November - even though his own family headed back to Norway - the report adds.

The former Molde boss has been paying close attention in particular to the club's young talent - encouraging starlets to play beyond their age groups to challenge them - and is attempting to fast-track the signing of 18-year-old Amad Diallo.

Sportsmail reported last month United were in the process of securing a Governing Body Endorsement from the FA that will lead to him being granted a work permit and the winger is set to link up with them imminently.

The £37m recruit will join a group that is thriving under a set of analysts and specialists aiming to improve performance on the smallest of scales, the Athletic says. Solskjaer has overhauled his backroom staff and hired head of data Andrew Meredith - who feeds information to coaches and players - while head of performance Richard Hawkins analyses the group from a physical perspective.

Martyn Pert, who has been at United since last season, specialises in keeping players who aren't playing fit and ensuring they are ready when called upon.

And in addition to securing experts on the training ground, he's also been keen to ensure there are people present who know the club inside out.

Former midfielder Keane - often critical of the club during his role as a pundit on Sky Sports - has come in to speak to the youngsters about their experience at Old Trafford, as has Wales boss Ryan Giggs.

The changes have helped lift the mood around the club and gone a long way to help Solskjaer in his quest to improve the team 20 per cent each season, the report adds.

United, who are also in the semi-finals of the Carabo Cup, have been winning games when it matters - battling out hard-fought victories over Wolves and Aston Villa - with Solskjaer getting top performances from Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.

Speaking after his side's 2-1 win over Villa, Solskjaer refused to say United were in the running for the title but admitted his pride with the team's resurgence.

'I am very happy with the position we find ourselves in,' admitted the United manager. 'I think the league is going to be so tight. Every time you win a game, you take it one step further.

'You can lose the chance to be in the title race in the first 10 games. So this is a good position to be in. If you can win games like tonight, it will make a big difference.

'Of course we are happy with what we are doing. It is such a big difference to 12 months ago. We have improved immensely. We are getting fitter and fitter and stronger and stronger.

'We should not get too carried away. It is not a cup final yet. But these points are important.'