Ole: We trust in the way that we play
Manchester United may only have picked up a point against Leeds United but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left Elland Road feeling extremely confident that his team are a long way down the line to being able to challenge for honours.
The boss appreciates Leeds are one of the fittest sides in the Premier League and would cause problems for anyone with their high-octane performances, as they did for Manchester City and Liverpool recently.
Yet United dominated much of the proceedings – a point conceded by Marcelo Bielsa in his post-match press conference – and there were signs for Ole that all the hard work that has gone into this area, into moulding the team he wants, has paid dividends.
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Although he accepts there will need to be additions during the summer transfer window, Solskjaer's plans are on course for ensuring United are capable of challenging for the title next season, with the prospect of fighting for a place in the Europa League final in Poland first on the agenda, with the opening leg of our semi-final against Roma taking place on Thursday night.
“We have taken baby steps in the way we've played,” admitted the manager. “The way we trained, the fitness and the coaches' work being done on the training ground. It's been planned and we have been able to put layer by layer by layer, as I've said.
“Now I feel very confident going into every game, trusting our way of playing. That is a big thing for us. We know, whoever we play against, we have our own way of dealing with the opposition.
“Of course, there are a couple of little tweaks here and there but, with the addition of one or two, we'll keep on strengthening the squad and keeping training hard. In the second half, I have got to say I have not seem many teams dominate Leeds as much as we did.
“They are so fit and strong and the intensity of their game is so good that they steamroller teams but we almost did it to them in the second half.”
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In addition to the European challenge, United are aiming to go the entire league season unbeaten away, with games to follow at Aston Villa and, on the final day, Wolves.
“It's a really good achievement,” said the boss. “No matter if there are fans or no fans, whether it's 23 or 24 games [it's now 24] without defeat, I think the players prepared well for these games we travel to. The work by the coaches before every game is really good and planned down to a tee.
“I have got to say I hope it continues as we've got big games coming up and want to take as many points as possible.”