Solskjaer: It's the team before the individual

The Reds got back to winning ways at Tottenham on Saturday and there are two more key clashes coming up, against Atalanta and Manchester City, before the international break. The target is a good performance and result in each, as Solskjaer's men look to firmly move on from the recent defeat to Liverpool.

Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic were introduced from the bench in north London but the other six substitutes were not involved, while other players left out of the matchday selection altogether as Solskjaer has no current injury worries.

When asked how he keeps those who are not playing motivated, the manager replied: “When you’ve got a fully fit squad at Manchester United, there are always going to be good quality players not playing and that’s been happening lately.

“Some players have had to do with a place on the bench and you have to take the opportunity when you get it.

“You have to train well and I can’t fault them at all.

“The attitude and motivation also has to come from within. That’s always going to happen at Manchester United.

“Players are going to go through difficult spells when they’re not playing and then your character is revealed.”

Solskjaer spoke on Saturday about how the team had followed the instructions to a tee at Tottenham and it’s this willingness to fight and work together which he has been so pleased to see.

“When you’re at a place like this, we’ve got so many players, we don’t have time for anyone to sulk or not give energy to the team,” the boss added.

“If you’re not in the starting XI, you are there to support your team-mates. And if you come on, you do your best. If you don't even come on, you think about the single best thing you can do for the team [to support it].

“The attitude was spot on. Yeah, I understand players want to play. No-one is happy when they don’t play.

“Squad morale has been really good and it has to be.

“It’s the team before any individual.”