Sceptics in the squad doubt the manager’s tactics and coaching but is it wise to assume he is out of his depth?

Ole Gunnar Solskjær asked to be judged on this season and, four matches in, his credibility is being questioned within Manchester’s United squad.

The concerns are not thought to be universally shared, the Guardian understands, and a paradox here is that a group of players who flatlined at the end of last term and are again underperforming have their own need to prove they possess the requisite quality.

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United’s start to the campaign has been one win, two draws and a defeat, leaving them seven points behind the leaders, Liverpool. The opening day 4-0 victory over Chelsea was followed by a concerning slump: the 1-1 draw at Wolves, 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace and 1-1 draw at Southampton before the international break.

Before Leicester City arrive at Old Trafford on Saturday there is disquiet that Solskjær’s coaching may lack sophistication, and he is yet to earn complete respect from those players who are sceptical.

Despite being popular on a personal level and having a relaxed man-management style, there are further doubts over the 46-year-old’s tactical acumen, with his record at Cardiff City, whom he took down to the Championship in May 2014, being cited.

Whereas José Mourinho was not liked by some players or staff, there was a respect for a tactical and strategic prowess that allowed him to guide United to the EFL Cup and Europa League in 2016-17 and second place in the Premier League the following season.

Those doubtful of Solskjær are still to be convinced, too, that his methods can improve them in the way that those, say, of Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola have with their respective players.

In one sense the doubts should not surprise. Whereas Mourinho and his predecessor, Louis van Gaal, each won titles in at least two of the big-four leagues of England, Italy, Germany and Spain, and also had European Cup success on the CV, Solskjær’s sole championship and knockout competition triumphs were achieved in Norway.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Ole Gunnar Solskjær during Manchester United’s home defeat by Crystal Palace. Photograph: Jan Kruger/Getty Images

As manager of Molde he claimed the Eliteserien in 2011 and 2012 plus the 2013 Norwegian Cup. Now, players – who can be the first to shift responsibility when results are poor – are pointing out that these trophies were claimed in a relatively minor league. There are further questions about his ability to manage a club of United’s huge global profile that attract incessant scrutiny.

Closer examination of Solskjær’s tenure at Cardiff suggests it should not be taken as clear-cut evidence of his being out of his depth. When he took over on 2 January 2014 Cardiff were fourth-bottom and hardly stable off the field. There had been a stand-off between Vincent Tan, the owner, and Malky Mackay, which culminated in the Scot’s sacking as manager, and there was supporter disgruntlement at the Malaysian’s decision to change team colours from blue to red.

Yet Solskjær – admirably – took full responsibility for overseeing relegation. This occurred after he lost 12 of 18 Premier League games, managing three wins and a total of 12 points from the available 54.

Although Solskjær was removed eight games into the following season after winning two of the first six Championship matches, more than one of the Cardiff players relegated under him counter the view held by some at United.

The Guardian has been told that Solskjær’s training sessions were innovative, that he possessed a clear vision of how the side should play and that relegation may have been because of an attempt to implement change too quickly. The last view is in line with Solskjær’s take.

His two years in charge of United reserves indicate that he is an original thinker. One example offered by a member of the side Solskjær managed to the 2009-10 Premier Reserve League title is of him asking players to switch positions during sessions to greater understand the other’s role.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Ole Gunnar Solskjær applauds Cardiff’s fans after relegation from the Premier League in 2014. Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

The view that Solskjær may not be able to handle the pressure at United is also counterbalanced, at least to a point, by his Molde tenure. Solskjær had to deal with an expectation in Norway that having worked under the peerless Sir Alex Ferguson he could and would perform a managerial miracle.

Solskjær’s response was to focus on instilling a winning mentality in his squad from the first day of pre-season. His players talk glowingly of his approach to tactics being fresh, as do those from Cardiff and United’s reserves, and how he made them believe Molde could be champions for a first time in the club’s 100th year. Solskjær led them to the title in his first campaign.

The irony of Solskjær being viewed as having doubtful credibility by a cadre who are part of a side with two league victories in 11 games (and who last won away in the competition in late February) is clear. Solskjær remains publicly loyal to his players, yet so dire were they in the 4-0 loss at Everton at the end of last season that there was disbelief in Marco Silva’s team.

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The display did prompt Solskjær to say: “I am going to be successful here and there are players who won’t be part of that.”

He has kept his word. Of the starting XI that day, Phil Jones and Nemanja Matic are now reserves, Chris Smalling is on loan at Roma and Fred is yet to feature in a matchday squad this term. Solskjær is understood to have also offered stern words during half-time at Southampton two weeks ago.

None of this suggests a manager cowed by the demands of the club or weak before his squad. Solskjær is, in fact, tougher than the easygoing persona suggests. Now, with the first rumblings of discontent, he faces the sternest test yet of his “dream” role.