Paul Pogba says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has put a “smile” back on his face after emerging from “the shadows” under Jose Mourinho to spearhead Manchester United’s resurgence this season.

Pogba’s praise for Solskjaer was echoed by team-mates Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera in the wake of Sunday’s 1-0 win over Tottenham at Wembley and The Telegraph understands there is growing momentum within the Old Trafford dressing room for the interim manager to be handed the job on a permanent basis at the end of the season.

United are determined to conduct a thorough recruitment process as they seek their fourth permanent manager in six years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, with Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino still the club’s first choice for the position.

As reported by The Telegraph over the weekend, England manager Gareth Southgate is an alternative option and Zinedine Zidane, formerly with Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone have also been linked with the post.

Yet Solskjaer hopes to win over the United board between now and the end of the season and, after recording six successive wins, the Norwegian is already garnering significant support among the squad with his confidence boosting man-management and positive, attack-minded approach.