Manchester United’s players told the club’s hierarchy before their key victory against Tottenham Hotspur that they should not sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer’s position as United manager had come under scrutiny after winning only four of his opening 14 league games this season. The squad, though, remain convinced that the former Norway striker is still the right man to take the club forward and conveyed that message to senior figures before Wednesday’s match against Tottenham.

United spoilt José Mourinho’s return to Old Trafford by defeating his Spurs side 2-1 to move up to sixth in the table, albeit eight points adrift of fourth place. However, the fact that a number of his senior players told the hierarchy that he still has their support is a