Solskjaer: Some current United players wouldn’t cope with Ferguson

Some of the current Manchester United squad wouldn’t be able to handle Sir Alex Ferguson’s style of management, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The new United manager has used his old boss as a mentor since taking over at Old Trafford, but Solskjaer insists he will do things differently to Ferguson.

The Scot has flown with the players to the Champions League trips to Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona and has been spotted at the training ground.

But Solskjaer admits footballers have changed since he was playing under Ferguson and that some of his current squad wouldn’t be able to cope with his style of management.

“Everyone of these players knows that times have changed and what gaffer did was unbelievable. We are doing things differently to all the previous managers,” he said.

“We can’t try to copy Sir Alex and be successful – because he was unique. We have to do our own way. We have a different generation of players. Maybe some of them could not have handled Sir Alex the way of managing but we look to do it our way. They know the history of the club, it means a lot for everyone and can’t linger on.”

Solskjaer has taken over with United about to mark a sixth successive season without a title, their longest run since Ferguson ended a 26-year wait in 1992/93.

But Ferguson struggled to get United competitive again at the start of reign, a problem Solskjaer is battling now as he looks to end a run of seven defeats in nine today when Chelsea visit Old Trafford.

“All managers know that taking over a club there is two scenarios. Either not happy with what’s happening or manager has gone to bigger things,” the Norwegian said.

“Clearly at Man Utd you take over when it has not been up to standards everyone wanted. I have not inherited a Championship-winning team that keeps on winning. You need time to rebuild and put your own stamp on it.