Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward says claims non-football people take major football decisions at the Old Trafford club are "a myth" and "an insult".
"There is a myth that we have non-football people making football decisions," he said. "I think that is insulting to the brilliant people who work on the football side in this club."
He added: "We've expanded our recruitment department in recent years and we believe this now runs in an efficient and productive way.
"Player recommendations and decisions are worked on by this department and by the first-team manager and his staff, not by senior management."
Woodward also backs under-fire Solskjaer, saying the manager is 'building a squad that respects the club's history'.
"The middle section of last season, after Ole's arrival, feels most relevant to what we want to achieve and where we want to be," said Woodward.
"We saw a team playing fast, fluid football, with a clear representation of the style and philosophy the manager wants.
"Ole has also instilled the discipline back into an environment where we may have lacked it in recent years. He is building a squad that respects the club's history, in which players work hard and respect their team-mates. No-one is bigger than the club."