Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists he is not worried about speculation about his future and is confident he will turnaround the team's fortunes.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Atalanta at Old Trafford, Solskjaer admitted expectations have been raised by the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane during the summer.
But the Norwegian also said that the pressure never changes at clubs such as United, who lost 4-2 at Leicester City on Saturday to leave the Red Devils sixth in the Premier League table, five points behind leaders Chelsea.
The defeat to Leicester came after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Everton at Old Trafford and home defeats against Aston Villa in the league and West Ham in the League Cup.
Hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League are also far from certain after their opening defeat to Swiss side Young Boys, that was followed up by a far from convincing win over Spain's Villarreal.
United sit third in Group F, one point behind Wednesday's opponents Atalanta and level with second-placed Young Boys.
“Every team will go through a period and we are in one now of poor form,” said Solskjaer. “We know that and we know we need to improve.
“As I have said so many times, the coaching staff we have are amazing, their attention to detail and the sessions they put on, I couldn't ask for more.
“You know, we’ve progressed over the years – sixth the first when I was there for half a season, then third, second,” the United manager said.
“You can see the progress, improvement, development and this season we still want to improve.
“Yes, we've signed some players that have raised expectations. Other teams have signed players and improved as well so we're in the same boat as all the top teams. There's pressure all the time.
Leicester 4 Manchester United 2: player ratings
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LEICESTER CITY RATINGS: Kasper Schmeichel, 6 -- Produced several solid saves and couldn’t do much for either of United’s goals which were both good finishes. AFP -
Daniel Amartey, 8 -- With incredible pass accuracy and a stalwart outing whilst marking Ronaldo, it was a great day at the office for Amarety. AP Photo -
Jonny Evans, 6 -- Won several challenges throughout the game but his lack of pace caught up to him on a few occasions. AFP -
Çağlar Söyüncü, 7 -- Was sloppy on the ball at times but more than made up for that with a composed finish from close range. Getty Images -
Ricardo Pereira, 7 -- Showed wonderful positional play and caused all kinds of problems both going forward and at the back. Getty Images -
Youri Tielemans, 8 -- Scored one of the best goals of the season and opened United up at the back whenever he was in possession. AFP -
Boubakary Soumaré, 7 -- Was sharp and focused in his natural position which is a testament to the changes made by Rodgers. AFP -
Timothy Castagne, 7 -- Looked off the pace for the opening goal but appeared to be really comfortable playing alongside Soumare and Pereira. AFP -
James Maddison, 7 -- Spent most of his time drawing fouls whenever he found the ball at his feet but still walked through United’s midfield fairly frequently. PA -
Kelechi Iheanacho, 8 -- Held play up brilliantly, put himself about the final third time and time again and grabbed a nice assist for Tielemans’ goal. AFP -
Jamie Vardy, 7 -- Had one of his weaker days with some questionable finishing but still managed to find the back of the net in the 83rd minute. AFP -
SUB: Jannik Vestergaard, N/A -- The strength and creative flow that Vestergaard brought to Leicester’s defence really helped them over the finish line. Getty Images -
SUB: Patson Daka, N/A -- The 23-year-old did his job by coming on and scoring a late tap-in to seal all three points for the Foxes. AP Photo -
SUB: Ayoze Perez, N/A -- It was a “change the game” kind of performance from the Spaniard as he produced two assists to lift Leicester above United. AFP -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 7. The best United player. Early siege against a side who didn’t lose any of their three matches against United last season. One clean sheet in 19 games now for United. Magnificent save from Tielemans on 75. He wasn’t culpable, unlike many of his teammates. AP -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6. Involved in the opening goal. Cut out some of Leicester’s otherwise fine passes. Booked for a wild challenge on 85 before Leicester’s winner as his defence became incapable of defending. Reuters -
Victor Lindelof – 7. Stretched by Vardy and Maddison early on. Booked for 52nd minute challenge on Vardy. Assisted the second for Rashford. Looked like he was giving 100%. Not all his teammates did. AFP -
Harry Maguire – 4. Back from injury and a surprise start – in part because Raphael Varane is out and his manager is reluctant to start Eric Bailly. Busy against his former club. Schoolboy error as he was too slow to react for Tielemans' equaliser. Not as bad in the second half but then played Leicester onside for their second. Getty Images -
Luke Shaw – 6. Crosses didn’t always reach teammates and he kept cutting inside. Tidy header to stop 57th minute Leicester attack, but nowhere near effective enough. One of the best players last season. Not this. AFP -
Paul Pogba – 5. Lost the ball which led to Leicester first attack. Booked on 86. Incapable of making the necessary impact on the game. PA -
Nemaja Matic – 6. Tidy on the ball and passed well, less effective when Leicester’s midfield were going forward. Won ball back when he could. Excellent half volley just over on 54 but lost ball in after 75 which led to Leicester nearly getting a winner. Getty Images -
Mason Greenwood – 7. Decent 13th minute effort after running from his own half. His thunderbolt shot five minutes later was his best goal of the season so far as he swerved the ball past Schmeichel. Getty Images -
Bruno Fernandes – 6. Set the opening goal up and created more chances than any player in first half. A couple of superb corners, but looked baffled, impatient and frustrated at what was going on behind him in a first half where United were second best. AP -
Jadon Sancho – 5. Bright idea at the start but again largely ineffectual and United had little width. Received constant instruction from the United bench, but he’s not been the player United hoped he would be so far. Subbed every time he’s started this season. PA -
Cristiano Ronaldo – 5. Shot produced a save from Schmeichel on 28 when he should have made it 2-0. But after a bright start back at United he’s underperforming and underwhelming. PA -
SUB: Marcus Rashford – 7. (On for Sancho after 64). Combined with Fernandes. Lively and got the equaliser with a beautiful strike. Getty Images -
SUB: Jesse Lingard – 5 (On for Greenwood after 79). And what a crazy 15 minutes he was on the pitch for. An awful display and result for United, while Lingard continues to worry about his future. PA -
SUB: Scott McTominay – NA. 9On for Matic after 80). Might have been a case for starting him in defence at the start of the game, given the injuries. Getty Images
“There's pressure on me, of course, but we've been through this before and we've come through it stronger as individuals and as a team.
“I'm just looking forward to the response now and I'm in dialogue with the club all the time, so that's an open, honest discussion all the time.”
Solskjaer also made a point of clarifying comments he made last week urging forward Marcus Rashford to “concentrate on his football".
The England forward has earned widespread praise for his off-the-field work, which includes campaigning to tackle child food poverty.
“We are so unbelievably proud of what Marcus has done on and off the pitch,” Solskjaer said.
“I was saying it must be nice for the boy to focus on going into training and not feeling his ankle, or his shoulder or his back. Now he can just go and enjoy his football.”
Rashford, meanwhile, underlined the importance of going “back to basics” after the loss at Leicester.
“I think at a club like Manchester United, as soon as you lose a game this is what happens,” Rashford said.
“I think for us as players, we have to go back to basics, look at ourselves and see what we can do better.
“We’ve had the conversation as a team as we would do whether we win a game or lose a game.”
“We know the next game is another opportunity to improve and that’s always the aim.”
