Man Utd's boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has clearly learned from Fergie when it comes to tricky situations – The Sun

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has clearly learned from Master how to handle tricky situations off the field.

Sir Alex Ferguson was often very optimistic at his press conferences in times of crisis.

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He would stage United, although there might be problems behind the scenes. He has never called an individual player.

So when Paul Pogba's question was raised here yesterday, Solskjaer went into full defense.

The problem is clear: Pogba and his agent Mino Raiola publicly aspire to a move.

But on the Waca Cricket Ground in Perth, Ole played a straight game on the subject – and even tried to hit a few feet as well.

Despite all the current problems at Manchester United, their manager is always positive and always smiling.

So on Pogba, he said, "Paul has never been a concern to me. He works hard, a real pro, a proud boy.

"I can not sit and talk about Paul and what the agents say, we have a few years left on his contract and he was fantastic.

The agents are talking all the time and as I said, we have not received any offers.

Solskjaer on Pogba

"He's a prominent guy, a great professional, he's never had a problem and has a heart of gold.

"Paul never left the team, he always gave the best of himself and I can not say anything more than that.

"But the agents are talking all the time and, as I said, we have not received any offers, that's all I can say about it."

Solskjaer also played down the image of a video broadcast on United's social network accounts, in which Pogba and Jesse Lingard discussed and were separated by Victor Lindelof.

The boss's badertion that there might be an agenda against Pogba is utterly out of place.

Fergie claimed that the English press had something against Juan Veron.

They did not do it. He was just not very good at United and every time he went on an international mission with Argentina, he was quoted for leaving Old Trafford.

The problem with Pogba's defense after what he said publicly is that you can not just blame the agent this time, as did Sir Alex when the French left United for Juventus in 2012 .

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LUKAKU ON THE ROAD?

Pogba's public claim that it's time for a new challenge is unprecedented for a Theater of Dreams star.

It was a club where people wanted to play, not leave.

But by defending Pogba, could he send the wrong message to the other players likely to try to create a shot?

Solskjaer is struggling to keep this situation secret while facing pressure from Romelo Lukaku and David De Gea's new contract.

Although, again, it sounded positive on this front.

Solskjaer added: "David had a summer during which he negotiated and we hope everything will be settled. I am positive, of course.

"I've often said how lucky I am and happy to have it at my goal."

We are Manchester United, we do not need to sell players or pay too much.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Indeed, Ole was very optimistic about his team and the possibility of adding new recruits, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James.

The Norwegian gaffer said: "We are still in the market, but we are patient.

"We are Manchester United, we do not have to sell players and we do not have to pay too much.

"You have to have good players at the right price and if you look at the team, there are so many good players."

The problem is that fans do not share his optimism.

But Solskjaer said: "The strongest will probably not be the biggest fans or the best."

POSITIVE DEMO

Some fans quickly reacted against this comment on social networks.

What he was trying to say, however, was that those who took phone calls and Twitter were not always the most faithful support.

In the same breath, the legend of Old Trafford said: "The pbadion of our fans is fantastic and they want us to succeed."

His positive attitude contrasted significantly with Jose Mourinho in the pre-season at the same time last year.

United had played two seasons in which he had won two trophies before finishing in the Premier League under the Special One.

But Mourinho feared not to continue without new signatures.

So when asked if he was satisfied with the strength of the team, he replied that it was a question to which he could not answer.

Things got worse from there.

Solskjaer will remain positive.

But only positive results on the ground will convince others to share his optimism.