Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "We're getting less bad performances and getting more and more consistent. You can never control the result in the end, that's decided by fine margins." Watch West Ham vs Man Utd live on Sky Sports Premier League from 5pm on Saturday; kick-off 5.30pm
Saturday 5 December 2020 06:52, UK
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Manchester United are becoming "more and more consistent" under his leadership as they target a fourth consecutive Premier League win.
Despite initially suffering their worst start to a league season since the David Moyes era, a run of three successive victories in the Premier League has lifted United up to ninth in the table and put them five points behind leaders Tottenham with a game in hand.
A 3-2 victory at Southampton last weekend set a new club record of eight straight away wins in the league, but a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday means United have won three of their eight matches at Old Trafford in all competitions this term.
Asked about his side's inconsistency ahead of United's trip to West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, Solskjaer said: "It depends on how many games you want to go back.
"We have played against some fantastic teams. If you go 30 or 40 games back, I think we're one of the most consistent teams performance-wise in the Premier League.
"Of course, you're disappointed when you lose a game. I thought we played really well on Wednesday and it's fine margins at times that decide games.
"The performance against PSG was miles better than the West Brom match, but you win the game against West Brom and don't get the three points against PSG.
"I think we're getting less bad performances and getting more and more consistent. You can never control the result in the end, that's decided by fine margins."
Solskjaer hopes to have Marcus Rashford back from injury for the trip to the London Stadium, but Luke Shaw remains unavailable for selection.
Rashford was forced off with a shoulder problem with 15 minutes to go against PSG, while Shaw has recently resumed training after picking up a hamstring strain in last month's victory over Everton.
"Marcus has been training this morning, not fully but he's joined in with the group," Solskjaer said.
"Obviously his shoulder stopped him finishing the game against PSG. He's been getting treatment, so hopefully he'll be part of the squad that travels.
"Luke's not ready yet, but apart from that we have had a big squad training again."
This weekend will see United play in front of fans for the first time since March, with 2,000 West Ham supporters attending the match.
It is also the first Premier League game since the coronavirus outbreak to feature fans, with London currently in Tier 2 of the UK government's regional restrictions.
"It'll be great playing in front of fans," Solskjaer said. "We're looking forward to it.
"Of course we won't have our fans there but we'll just have to use the energy or thrive off the home fans and make them quiet hopefully, that we can make them edgy.
"We're looking forward to it. It's great to see fans back in a stadium. Of course, we want it back in Old Trafford as well and hopefully, we'll get that soon.
"Football is not the same, it's not been the same so it's great to see some back.
"Of course we're a bit bruised and disappointed after Wednesday night but hopefully we'll be ready to go again tomorrow."
Watch West Ham vs Man Utd live on Sky Sports Premier League from 5pm on Saturday; kick-off 5.30pm.
