I can’t think beyond the next six games at Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has welcomed the long-term endorsement of Ed Woodward, but the Manchester United manager has accepted that he is never more than six games away from capture.

Woodward has been adamant that Solskjaer fits into the club’s “long-term approach”, with his latest show of support at a fan forum event last month.

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The Norwegian’s position came under scrutiny again following a 3-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, which left Champions League qualification on a razor’s edge.

And despite Woodward’s insistence that Solskjaer is safe, the United manager admits he is under pressure to succeed now.

“From my experience, from my discussions with the club, we think long term,” Solskjaer told a news conference on Friday before the trip to West Ham.

“Of course, you also have to look at short-term results, but my vision is long-term and my conversations with the club have always been long-term.

“But also in the short term, you can’t stop thinking about the next six games.

“You have to think about the next game and the next six. You also have to plan and think about the bigger picture. For me, I can only speak from my experience.”

Solskjaer will go head-to-head with David Moyes at London Stadium on Saturday. Moyes is one of the few coaches who has also experienced the unique pressure of coaching at Old Trafford.

“You don’t want it to be any different because that comes from the passion that our fans have, the passion that the media has for us, our history, our success and the hunger for success and the demands and standards that we have set,” Solskjaer said.

“We are fortunate in that sense to have so many fans and you just have to endure or enjoy whatever pressure it puts on you.

“We are working to achieve this also with the players who are getting used to playing for Man United. These are different demands than playing for other teams.”

The victory over West Ham would put United two points behind leaders Liverpool and Tottenham, who play on Sunday.

The last three Premier League champions have recorded 98 points or more, but Solskjaer believes that this season’s winners will not need to find the same consistency.

“I don’t think you see the same total score that we have seen in the last three seasons, 100% certain because of the congestion and because of the preparation the teams have had,” Solskjaer said.

“One of those seasons after a bump, after a loss, after a bad performance, you need to get back in shape.

“There have been so many examples of teams failing when you think maybe they’re going to get away, we’ll do the best we can while we can, hang on and keep moving up the table.”