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Manchester United's players want Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their manager on a full-time basis.

Interim boss Solskjaer was put in charge until the end of the season, while the United hierarchy carry out the process of recruiting a new full-time successor to the sacked Jose Mourinho.

Although Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino remains the first-choice of the board, the Old Trafford giants' players would be happy for Solskjaer to get it.

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The fan-favourite former Red Devils striker has pushed his claim to stay in charge beyond this season by rattling off five wins in his first five games — and many of his squad would like to see him get the nod.

(Image: Man Utd via Getty)

Solskjaer’s inclusive man-management style, in contrast to predecessor Jose Mourinho’s divisive approach, has been welcomed by United’s squad, particularly the forwards.

Their £89million record signing Paul Pogba has flourished under the Norwegian, with four goals and three assists in three games, while strikers Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku are also thriving.

Under Mourinho, attack-minded players were shackled by his safety-first approach and criticised – often publicly – if they went AWOL from their defensive duties and failed to track back.

(Image: AFP/Getty)

But according to sources close to the squad — currently on a warm-weather training break in Dubai — Solskjaer’s instructions are for attacking players to play with freedom and express themselves, without being burdened by defensive obligations.

The 45-year-old, currently 'on loan' from his job managing Molde back home, has made no secret of his desire to keep the job on a permanent basis, and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is said to be extremely impressed by the start he has made in the role.

(Image: Reuters)

After wins over Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Newcastle, and an FA Cup victory at home to Championship strugglers Reading on Saturday, the first big test of Solskjaer’s tenure comes with Sunday’s trip to third-placed Tottenham.

A victory at Wembley would be their sixth in a row under Solskjaer, would further boost United’s hopes of securing a top-four place and increase the clamour for him to be handed the post full-time.

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Defender Phil Jones said: “It’s about momentum and we need to keep building that momentum, whoever we play. We’re feeling good and we’re feeling strong.

“Spurs is a good test. We’ve steadied the ship a bit, if you like, and we need to keep going. We have not done anything yet, we’ve not achieved anything.

“This will be an indicator for us of how far we can go. It’s a game we need to win. They are in good form and doing well and we need to have a good week, train well and prepare for a tough game.”