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The former Old Trafford coach says it is too early to judge the Norwegian manager amid the busy schedule caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Former Manchester United assistant Steve McClaren jumped to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s defense after “massive overreaction” to his team’s loss to Crystal Palace.
Solskjaer has overseen the gradual progress at Old Trafford since he was installed as the club’s permanent manager in March 2019.
The Norwegian has added the likes of Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Bruno Fernandes to his ranks, while bringing out the best of previously inconsistent stars Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, with a view to bringing back Sir’s glory days. Alex Ferguson 27- reign of the year.
United managed to secure a third-place finish and qualify for the Champions League last season, while reaching three major semi-finals, with Solskjaer widely praised for implementing an attacking philosophy that had been abandoned under his predecessors José Mourinho and Louis van Gaal.
However, the lack of activity during the summer transfer window has caused a tense atmosphere among fans, and frustrations spilled over after the Red Devils’ 3-1 humiliation at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Many fans and pundits are now calling for Solskjaer’s head after the club’s first opening day loss in six years, but McClaren feels he has come under unfair criticism after a significantly reduced preseason.
The former United manager said talkSPORT when asked about their display against Palace: “It’s an overreaction, it’s their first game of the season. As Sir Alex used to say, you never earn anything in September, October, November.
“Manchester United, since that semi-final has had two weeks off, two weeks in preparation, one game and they hope to produce a performance of the level they finished last season with, let us not forget that it was an incredible end to the season – top four, European semi-final.
“I think yes, United were poor. Was expected? Yeah, I think behind the scenes Ole will say ‘we’re not ready’. It is not an excuse. They haven’t had enough prep time, let’s judge them at five / ten games. That’s what I always say. So you can say it’s not okay, but after one? You do not have to wait.
“They have given them time, they judge you by the results, they judge you by your signings and so far they have been patient with their signings. They have been good and will improve. “
The Red Devils will return to action Tuesday night, with a trip to Kenilworth Road to face Luton Town in the third round of the EFL Cup.
Solskjaer will start preparing his players for another tough away game against Brighton next weekend, which they cannot afford to lose after a brilliant start to the season from their main Premier League rivals.
