What Solskjaer has done at Utd that had been missing since Ferguson retirement

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's history at Manchester United helps him understand what the Old Trafford faithful want to see on the pitch, according to former midfielder Sammy McIlroy.

United were on an 11-game unbeaten run before the current season was suspended and they've begun to look like a more attacking side under former Red Solskjaer.

McIlroy, who played more than 400 games for United in the 1970s and early 80s, believes the Norwegian has an understanding about the duty to entertain that comes with playing for United, something that previous big-name managers such as Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal lacked.

"We had the issues with following Sir Matt [Busby] with all the history and everything he did, it was the same with Sir Alex and the trophies he won," McIlroy told the MEN.

"The hardest thing was always going to be to replace him. We've had some big-name managers there that have come nowhere near, that's just the way it is.

"Hopefully now we're through some big-name managers who couldn't cope and didn't get what the crowd wanted, now we've got a player who worked under Sir Alex, knows what United fans want and hopefully Ole will have the time and chance to do that."

Before the season was halted due to the coronavirus outbreak United were well placed to challenge for a top-four finish as well as remaining in the Europa League and the FA Cup.

During that run McIlroy saw some promise in the side, especially with the aggression with which they pressed to win the ball back.

"I've seen good signs, especially with the run we've been on, they're playing with a good tempo, it's what we used to do in the 70s now, when they haven't got the ball they want to get it back as soon as possible and that's a good thing to see," he said.

"They've got good legs in midfield, when you lose the ball get it back as quickly as possible and that's what Ole has got his team doing."

That aggression can help set the tone for a more attacking approach. United scored 29 times in their 11-game unbeaten run, including a 6-0 and two 5-0 wins, and McIlroy sees the approach that served the club so well under Busby and Ferguson beginning to return.

"You must entertain the crowd, in our days if you score one go and get two or three, it doesn't matter what the opposition do, just score more than them," he said.

"If you do that and always give 100% then the supporters will stick by you."