MANCHESTER, Nov 8: Manchester United�s players came out fighting for their under-fire manager. After his team�s stirring comeback in a 3-1 win at Everton in the Premier League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer didn�t hold back, either. �The authorities set us up to fail,� an angry Solskjaer said, in reference to United having to play around 48 hours after returning from a gruelling trip to Turkey for a Champions League game.
�We�ve had enough of that. I�ve had enough.�
It was a release of energy and emotion by Solskjaer at the end of a week when his managerial credentials were widely questioned not for the first time. A 1-0 home loss to Arsenal, which plunged United to 15th place in the fledgling league standings, was followed by a 2-1 defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir, a Champions League newcomer containing a number of Premier League castoffs. Acknowledging he was back under pressure, Solskjaer called for patience from the club�s ownership and fans. The man known as the �Baby-Faced Assassin� during his playing days at United has had a habit of getting a result when he needs one most during his time as the club�s manager � and he did it again at Goodison Park.
United responded to going behind in the 19th minute to a goal from Brazilian winger Bernard by scoring twice � both times through Bruno Fernandes � before halftime. Edinson Cavani capped the fightback with his first goal for United deep in stoppage time.
�We�ve been questioned,� United captain Harry Maguire said. �But we know we don�t answer them in 90 minutes, we answer them day in, day out.�
�The lads are working tirelessly for this club, everyone wants to improve and do better. The manager has to pull the lads off the training ground.�
Another defeat would have left Solskjaer in a difficult and uncomfortable position heading into a two-week international break, but he can breathe easier now as he approaches two years in charge of United. � AP
