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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took a swipe at Jose Mourinho and claimed he inherited a complete mess when he took over from him at Manchester United .

Providing Premier League matches are allowed to continue, Solskjaer goes face-to-face with Mourinho on Sunday, and claimed the self-proclaimed Special One left United in a complete state of disarray when he took over.

Since taking over from Mourinho at United in December 2018, Solskjaer has got rid of nine players and signed four permanently, in a complete overhaul of the squad.

“I felt a lot needed to be changed,” said Solskjaer.

“We've signed four players, lost quite a few and promoted from within, with lots of youngsters. I don't know how dramatic those changes have been.

(Image: PA)

“I don't think it feels dramatic for the squad and the ones that were here. We needed certain pieces in the puzzle and they've worked.

“I believe that we're going places. I believe that we're on the track that Manchester United need to be on.

“There are different cultures at different clubs and different ways of doing things and I believe in the way we do things now.

“I don't necessarily believe in everything we've done before, but at the moment I believe in what we're doing.

(Image: REUTERS)

“I think I'm the right man, but I'm not going to sit here and talk about that. The proof is in the pudding at the end of the day.”

While Mourinho has publicly bemoaned the loss of Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min and Steven Bergwijn, Solskjaer has also had to cope with losing high-profile players to injury, in Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford.

“Yeah, but I don't talk about those two, do I?” said Solskjaer. “I want to focus on the ones who are fit and the ones I've got.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

“There's a chance for new players to challenge for a place in the team. It's part and parcel of this game that you do have injuries.

“We've managed well without some of our top players this season.”

Solskjaer has an impressive record against the Premier League's big clubs this season, with a league double over Manchester City and Chelsea , who they also beat in the Carabao Cup.

United also beat Tottenham at Old Trafford in December and, until Watford beat Liverpool last month, were the only side to take points off the runaway league leaders this season.

(Image: REUTERS)

“It's not just about tactics, it's about the players and I've got great staff,” said Solskjaer.

“We sit and have great discussions going into different games. I've got a philosophy I think is worthy of this club.

“I'm a Red and I think I know what this club needs.”

On facing Spurs, Solskjaer added: “It's a vital game in the challenge for the top four. Maybe not everyone expected us to be in this top four challenge.

(Image: PA)

“I said before the City game that if we could get six points before the international break, that would be a great position to be in when we go into the last six weeks.”

Pogba, who has not played since Boxing Day, will not be ready to return against Spurs. “I wouldn't think Paul is ready, no,” said Solskjaer.

“He's trained today and he'll train tomorrow, but I don't think he's had enough training sessions with the team.

“I had a nice conversation with him the other day and I don't think he'd be against it if I asked him.”