Solskjaer confident young stars can give Man Utd a good season

Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told fans on the eve of the new Premier League season that although there is no quick fix to the problems which dogged the club last season he is feeling "confident" about the forthcoming campaign.

Eight defeats in their last 12 matches last season condemned United to a poor sixth place in the Premier League and although the club has signed defenders Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, as well as winger Daniel James, the summer has also seen them loose midfielder Ander Herrera and striker Romelu Lukaku, while Marouane Fellaini was sold in January and Real Madrid are still interested in Paul Pogba.

If Pogba should leave, the squad looks weaker than last season, but Solskjaer was optimistic, saying fans should put faith in the young players such as Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and teenage forward Mason Greenwood.

When asked about last season as he spoke to the press ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener at home to Chelsea, the Norwegian said: "of course we want to put that right. The way we can clear doubts is by playing football, showing what the team wants to be and the style of football we want to play."

"When our fans see that intention they have always been supporting the team," said Solskjaer, who said the pessimism over the lack of summer transfer business was not shared by the club's players.

"Within the team and the club we are feeling very confident and we don't feel that negativity," he insisted.

The coach said the club had "got a good deal" from Inter Milan for Lukaku and wished him the best, while tipping 17-year-old Mason Greenwood to step up to replace the Belgian international.

"Mason Greenwood's pathway would have been more difficult with another striker there. I believe that Mason is going to be playing and involved a lot and when he is, he will score goals," Solskjaer said.