Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no excuse for a slow start at Man Utd – but you have to give her some time

Dimitar Berbatov said that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had no excuse for Manchester United to start the season slowly as he had a summer to prepare.

But the former Red Devils striker called United's board of directors to give Norway time to turn things around if the club started at the back.

Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho as acting head midway through last season before landing a permanent position.

The Norwegian failed to qualify for the Champions League and Berbatov said he was under intense pressure to make United a world champion.

Sending to Mirror Football, Berbatov said: "Solskjaer starts from the beginning with a pre-season.

"He has time to get ready, and after that he has no more excuses, he has to start hard because if you do not, you have all this negativity around you.

"I hope all those connected to the club, all the old players will think that the time has come for him to start playing the Man Man, better than last season.I want to see him, the season last was disappointing. "

Solskjaer's job was threatened late last season as United faced Huddersfield and lost at home to Cardiff City, relegated in their last two games.

The leaders of the Red Devils were closely watching Tottenham's leader Mauricio Pochettino, who could eventually be replaced, but finally decided to support Solskjaer.

Berbatov warned United against the early start of the season, noting that Red Devils led by Sir Alex Ferguson sometimes began slowly.

"I hope that there will be no thoughtless decision because it is not the way Man United to change coaches every year or two. We will not see 26 years in charge, of course, but we have more time needed.

"Everyone is not going to start as they wish, I remember that sometimes we started slowly, but things started again.

"Managers are judged by their name and their reputation, as is the case with Solskjaer, because he has not won anything, he will not be given much time, while someone who won may have more time – this is not fair.

"So I hope that no matter when he starts, he will be given more time."

* Dimitar Berbatov spoke at the launch of the new Betfair exchange campaign, which introduces the different ways to bet on Exchange and includes a "How To" hub. For more information from Dimitar Berbatov throughout the season, visit https://betting.betfair.com/football/dimitar-berbatov/