Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Manchester United are also-rans in the Premier League - but is hoping for salvation in the cup competitions.

The Norwegian watched his struggling side reach the knockout stages of the Europa League on Thursday night with a 3-0 win against Partizan Belgrade.

They also have a great chance of securing a place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup after drawing Colchester United at home in the quarters.

United’s cup form is far removed from their problems in the Premier League, where they have managed to win just three games all season and currently sit closer to the relegation zone than the top four.

With Liverpool and Manchester City charging away at the top of the table, United’s faint title hopes have long since been extinguished.

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In reality, there are major doubts as to whether they can even secure Champions League qualification in Solskjaer’s first full season in charge.

But it is a sign of their plight and ongoing slump post-Sir Alex Ferguson that a United manager should have to concede defeat as early as November.

Solskjaer said: “I don’t want to stop winning in cups because the Premier League trophy is out of our reach. We are too far behind the top teams.

“Any trophy you can get your hands on we are going to go for - but we need to improve our league form definitely.”

Solskjaer has put his faith in the club’s emerging talent and United’s hierarchy insist he still has their full backing, despite such a turbulent campaign.

The Norwegian says he is prepared to risk his own position for the greater good of the club by developing players like Mason Greenwood – even if it means United have to wait for success.

He added: “You always get assessed on results now, but the DNA of this club – and it’s always been in our philosophy and my philosophy to give young players with the right attitude a chance and if that takes a couple of years for him to really, really come through, it’s worth it for us.

“I’m managing for Man United, I’m not managing for me. I managing for the best way I think we can get the best out of Mason.”

As a result, Solskjaer says there will be more ups and downs this season.

“Sometimes you get that with a young team, which we have,” he said. “And we’ve suffered with injuries, which has made it even younger.

“We are still not consistent enough in our performances from game to game or within the game. But that will come. It keeps improving and I think when we get through this the boys will have learned a lot.”