Solskjaer vows to "move Man Utd forward' as interim manager

Manchester United's caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer vowed to "move the club forward" on Friday in his first press conference at the helm of the world famous club.

Solskjaer's appointment on Wednesday followed the sacking of Jose Mourinho over the team's worst start of the season in nearly 30 years.

Talking to reporters ahead of Manchester United's Premier League clash on Saturday against Cardiff — a club he managed for nine months in 2014 — Solskjaer said he would take it "game by game."

"My job is for the next six months, I will do as well as I can, to move the club forward.

"I want to get my principles into the boys from the first game. Get the boys to understand how I want them to play, how we want to play as a team.

 "Work together and then let's see how many points we can gather. I'm not going to set any targets, we'll take it game by game." he added.

Solskjaer, who was known during his playing days at Man Utd as a "super-sub" — a substitute who comes in late to save the game with decisive goals — also sought to reassure players that they'd have a chance to prove themselves.

Fans and commentators have had mixed reactions to Mourinho's decision in recent matches to keep record signing Paul Pogba out of the starting line-up. The French midfielder had an impressive World Cup campaign, but when he has been selected to play in a United shirt, Pogba rarely showed the same class as he does internationally.

Supporters are hoping that the Norwegian will bring a positivity to Old Trafford, and make some inroads into getting the most out of a misfiring Romelu Lukaku, an ineffective Alexis Sanchez and a gifted but all-too-often marginalised Marcus Rashford.

"When you are at Manchester there are a set of demands — standards expected. One has to be a team player," Solskjaer said, joking: "I don't think anyone has been on the bench more than me!

"You never know, they might come on and make an impact, and they need to grab that opportunity when they get it. They will all get a chance," he added.

Solskjaer was appointed until the end of the season while the club hunts for a new permanent manager. He is expected to return to his manager role in Molde, Norway, in May.

But he made it clear on Friday that he would love to be considered for the Man Utd job.

"So many managers would love to be manager of Manchester United, I am one of them, but it is not something I have talked about. There is a process for the next six months," he said.