Under-fire Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer understands mounting criticism and pressure but vowed not to "fall like a house of cards" after recent defeats.
The Red Devils reacted impressively following the chastening 6-1 home defeat to predecessor Jose Mourinho's Tottenham at the start of October, but things have gone awry in first week of November.
United fell to an embarrassing 2-1 loss to Champions League new boys Istanbul Basaksehir just days after putting in a flat performance in the 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal.
Scrutiny has ratcheted up on Solskjaer ahead of Saturday's crunch trip to Everton, where they would have their lowest points tally after seven matches since 1989-90 should they fail to win.
Asked if he is as certain of being successful at United as he was when permanently appointed manager, Solskjaer said: "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?
"If I don't trust my beliefs and values and my staff's quality and the players' quality, who else should?"
Solskjaer added: "I don't look at one or two results and fall like a house of cards. But, yeah, setback definitely.
"I think there's been too much made of, say, not scoring against Arsenal and Chelsea because there's been more-or-less nothing in those two games.
"It's not too long ago we were the best thing since sliced bread when you beat Leipzig and PSG, so there's ups and downs in football and that's just the way it has to be.
"You've got to have that belief in yourself, belief in the players.
"The club has been very positive. They've shown me their character and the strong leadership, so I'm looking to Saturday lunchtime kick-off, which is another matter."
United have tended to react well to setbacks under Solskjaer and that will be crucial at Goodison Park ahead of the international break.
"You have to be mentally strong," the Norwegian said of dealing with the reaction.
"Of course there's demands on a Man United player and a coach and a manager.
"There's also an expectation because we are at the best and the biggest club in the world.
Manchester United player ratings v Istanbul Basaksehir
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MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Dean Henderson, 6: Picked amid claims from his manager that he had matured. He had kept a clean sheet in his two previous games this season. Couldn’t manage it in his third. Can’t be blamed for goals. Reuters -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 5: Up down, up down. His role, his form. Getty -
Harry Maguire, 5: Didn’t look like the captain was leading his own defence, let alone team. United’s shape when they lost the ball for the first goal was all wrong and, according to Solskjaer, not the goal you expect to see at this level. AFP -
Axel Tuanzebe, 4: Played because Lindelof had a bad back. Booked after 20 minutes chasing Ba, aged 35. Even the Istanbul coach was surprised his side scored such a goal. Fantastic in Paris, flustered in Istanbul. AP -
Luke Shaw, 7: Very advanced – and being up for corners left defence exposed. Shot across goal early in game and crossed for Martial’s header just before half time. Made more key passes than anyone. United’s best player. AP -
Nemanja Matic, 5: The deepest United player for Istanbul’s opener – despite being well in the opponents’ half. Poor first half, then dropped to be central defender for second, but was still pushed off the ball by Gulbrandsen. Too static. AFP -
Juan Mata, 5: Seldom involved and easily dispossessed by Turuc for Istanbul’s second. Played well in previous starts this season, but not tonight. AFP -
Donny van de Beek, 6: Got on the ball, played deeper than usual, though at least he played. Lively, tackled and was first to come off because manager felt the team were leaning to the left. Getty -
Bruno Fernandes, 6: Volley wide after five, good balls forward, though his poor ball back to Mata contributed to Basaksehir's second. Free kick tested Gunok and had twice as many shots (4) as anyone on the pitch but ultimately couldn’t help get the breakthrough. AFP -
Anthony Martial, 5. Skilfully aimed header for United’s goal, but limited threat and ran in blind alleys. Getty -
Marcus Rashford, 4: Did he play? United forced one shot on target from open play. AP -
SUBS: Scott McTominay (on for Tuanzebe, 45) 6: Vocal – as he was against Arsenal and one of United’s better players. AP -
Edinson Cavani (on for Mata, 60) 5: Poor service, a few touches. Needs a goal. At least his made the opposing manager happy by giving him his shirt as a present for his son. AFP -
Paul Pogba (on for Van de Beek, 61) 5: Involved, but struggled to break down the Turkish wall. Reuters -
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (on for Wan Bissaka, 75) N/A: Fast recovery when Gulbrandsen pushed forward for a third. Reuters -
Mason Greenwood (on for Rashford, 75) N/A: Little impact. Reuters
"You don't expect to have anything but criticism then, it's just how you deal with that, how you deal with that setback.
"From what I've seen from the boys, they've been very focused since we've come back, ready to give a response."
Club great Solskjaer understands the pressures and expectations at Old Trafford better than most, with poor performances having led speculation to increase about a move for Mauricio Pochettino.
But the 1999 treble winner remains confident that he retains the backing of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the United hierarchy.
"I've always had a very good, open, honest and a positive dialogue with the club," Solskjaer said.
"As I've said, they've shown strong leadership. I've had good dialogue continually since I've come in."
Solskjaer added: "And with me, today it's sunny in Manchester. I don't expect the wind to turn. Of course there's always pressure and expectations on us.
"But I've grown up here, or I became a man at Manchester United, and I've have learnt how to deal with good and bad times.
"There's always... you're a top coach or a manager when you win, and you're bad when you lose because that's the last game you played.
"You're not really better than your last game but every game of football becomes history quickly and we need to go into Goodison Park in a positive frame of mind."
Solskjaer has no fresh concerns heading to Everton, with Alex Telles back in training after being ruled out recently following a positive Covid-19 test.
"We've not lost any (players) from the Istanbul trip," he said. "Same group, same squad."
