Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sets Man Utd target after equalling Premier League record

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has set a target of 10 straight wins after equalling the records Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti.

The Manchester United interim manager continued his 100 per cent record since succeeding Jose Mourinho last month with a 2-1 win against Brighton.

Guardiola and Ancelotti have managed six consecutive Premier League wins at the start of their managerial reigns – meaning Solskjaer will set a new benchmark with victory against Burnley at the end of the month.

Solskjaer has already set a new record at United by winning his first seven games in all competitions – but channelled Sir Alex Ferguson by demanding even more.

The Norwegian said: “The gaffer used to challenge us at times with ‘Why can’t you win 10 games on the bounce?’

In Pictures | Man Utd vs Brighton | 19/01/2019

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“As long as you take one game at a time and prepare well we should go into any game as winnable one.

"We have had some tough years at the club, we’re fifth at the moment, but it’s a challenge for us to get to where we, as a club, should be.”

Solskjaer is continuing to apply the pressure to Ed Woodward as he strengthens his case to be appointed Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor ahead of top target Mauricio Pochettino.

United were 11 points adrift of the top four when he took charge before Christmas, but are now in touching distance of the Champions League places.

“The players have to be proud of the form and momentum they are building,” he said. “Seven games on the bounce creates confidence.

“Maybe in 10, 15, 20 years’ time I’ll look back on things like this, but I don’t care whatsoever about records. I’ve never bothered about these things, but of course to be part of a team winning so much feels great and the confidence that grows in that dressing room.

“The team spirit kept them away from losing points today.

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“If we get this momentum, if the train keeps rolling, we’ll get loads of points on the board and hopefully that’ll take us up the table.”

A Paul Pogba penalty and Marcus Rashford’s strike just before half time put United 2-0 up at the break – but Brighton made it a nervy finish with Pascal Gross pulling one back.

Solskjaer added: “David (de Gea) didn’t have any saves to make towards the end, but there were still scary moments.

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“We need to improve on quite a few things. Defensively, we need to find our shape better. Towards the end like today, we need to defend better with the ball.

“Keep it away from them, let them run and try to get the ball - but at times today we played some fantastic football and should have scored two or three in the beginning of the second-half.

“We made it more difficult than it should have been. Of course the last 20 minutes, up until then I thought we played some great stuff at times, beginning of the second-half we should have scored one or two goals, then it’s a comfortable win.

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“But as I’ve said many times, any game will give you different challenges, and Brighton more so than other teams, with crosses in the box, set pieces, because they’re a physical side, quality of the delivery, some good goal-scorers in there.”

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