Clubs must think long-term, says Man Utd's Solskjaer after Bilic sacking

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VIDEO SHOWS: NEWS CONFERENCE WITH MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER / MANCHESTER UNITED TRAINING

SHOWS:

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (DECEMBER 1, 2020) (UEFA - NO COMMERCIAL USE. MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "©UEFA 2020". NO RESALES)

1. EDINSON CAVANI DURING RONDO DRILL

2. MANAGER OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER WATCHING TRAINING

3. CAVANI AMONG TEAM MATES DURING TRAINING

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (DECEMBER 16, 2020) (MUTV - NO RESALES. PART MUST COURTESY "MUTV". DO NOT OBSCURE LOGO. )

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER SAYING:

"Well I think these times in a pandemic and what's happened has made everyone sit back and think and maybe take a deep breath. I'm very sad to hear that Slaven (Bilic) lost his job, I think he's done great for them, getting promotion. I know him from years back as well so I'm sure he'll get a job again when he wants to. So that's one bit, but the other bit is that hopefully more and more clubs and teams think long term. Of course it is a short term business, we need results short term as well, but everyone knows that continuity is key to success sometimes they don't have the patience for it though."

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (DECEMBER 1, 2020) (UEFA - NO COMMERCIAL USE. MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "©UEFA 2020". NO RESALES)

5. PAUL POGBA

6. FERNANDES AND MARCUS RASHFORD CHATTING

7. POGBA COMPLETING A DRILL BY PASSING THE BALL TO MASON GREENWOOD

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (DECEMBER 16, 2020) (MUTV - NO RESALES. PART MUST COURTESY "MUTV". DO NOT OBSCURE LOGO.)

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER SAYING:

"Yeah of course, it is not a nice position to be in as a manager because you want your players to play every game with confidence going into a game thinking and believing they win the game, of course. I've been there with Cardiff and it was for me a new experience, a learning experience, of course, and a valuable one in that respect. I didn't enjoy it with the results and the relegation that we got. But as a manager I think you're very, very... one of very few if you're not going to feel the pressure at one point. And I felt it and I'm sure Chris (Wilder), Slaven and whoever feels that pressure are mentally strong enough, because you have to be mentally strong to be the manager anyway."

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (DECEMBER 1, 2020) (UEFA - NO COMMERCIAL USE. MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY "©UEFA 2020". NO RESALES)

9. BRUNO FERNANDES

STORY: Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he sympathised with Slaven Bilic after the Croatian was sacked by West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday (December 16) and stressed the need for clubs to think about long-term continuity rather than instant results.

Bilic helped West Brom gain promotion to the Premier League but was sacked after a dismal start to the season left them second-bottom with one win in 13 games.

Solskjaer is also under scrutiny after his side were knocked out in the Champions League group stages last week.

"I think these times in a pandemic and what's happened has made everyone sit back and think... I'm very sad to hear Slaven has lost his job. He did a great job getting them promotion," Solskjaer told reporters.

"I've known him for years and I'm sure he'll get a job again.

"Hopefully more and more clubs will think long term. It's a short term business and you need short term results, but everyone knows that continuity is the key to success and sometimes they don't have the patience for it."

The spotlight is also firmly on Sheffield United's Chris Wilder, with the Blades bottom of the league on one point from 12 games ahead of Manchester United's visit on Thursday (December 17).

"It's not a nice position to be in as a manager, you want your players to be playing with confidence, thinking and believing they can win the game," Solskjaer added.

"At Cardiff (City), it was a new experience, a learning experience and a valuable one. I didn't enjoy it, with the results and relegation we got, but as a manager you're one of very few if you're not going to feel the pressure at one point.

"I felt it and Chris, Slaven whoever feels that pressure are mentally strong enough, because you have to be."

Solskjaer said striker Edinson Cavani was a doubt for the trip while injured fringe players Phil Jones (knee) and Marcos Rojo (calf) should be ready next month.

(Production: Iain Axon)