Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has sought to clear up Sir Alex Ferguson’s role in Manchester United’s spectacular revival.
The Norwegian’s 100 per cent start as interim manager continued on Saturday with a seventh straight win since taking over from Jose Mourinho last month.
Solskjaer has been frank about Ferguson’s role as a mentor and inspiration in his career, and invited his former manager to the club’s Carrington training ground as part of his bid to lift the squad following Mourinho’s turbulent reign.
Ferguson gave his backing to Solskjaer’s surprise appointment before Christmas – but suggestions he is playing an active part in first team affairs have been dismissed.
“We don’t speak weekly,” said Solskjaer. “I haven’t spoken to him many times. He has been in to visit us just once – he has been to see (former player, Giuseppe) Rossi once.
“The influence is more my 15 years under him. He is 77, it is not fair to him either is it?”
Solskjaer is desperate to convince Ed Woodward that he deserves the permanent job ahead of United’s top target Mauricio Pochettino.
His attempt to clarify Ferguson’s involvement could be seen as his latest bid to strengthen his claim to be appointed at the end of the end of the season.
United are now just three points off the top four after being 11 adrift when Solskjaer took charge.
Should he lead them to Champions League qualification, it would only add to the growing calls for him to stay on.
Solskjaer is convinced the club can rediscover their glory days after post-Ferguson slump.
“Part of the history of the club that you get setbacks,” he added. “It was not just glory days with Sir Alex either.
“That is just the way we are, that we bounce back and hopefully we move up the table. That is key to us now.
“The past three managers have passed on so much knowledge that the players know they will have it in the locker because every day is an experience.”