OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER’s first order of business as Manchester United manager should be bolstering the team’s defense, according to club legend Gary Neville.
Manchester United finally appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor on Tuesday morning.
The 46-year-old, who has guided the Red Devils to the Champions League quarter-finals during his brief reign, has penned a three-year contract at Old Trafford.
Attention has now turned to who the Norwegian will sign in the rapidly-approaching transfer window.
But according to former Red Devil Gary Neville, Solskjaer’s priority should be bringing in defensive reinforcements.
"Defence is the main priority in terms of getting the centre-back pairings right because there have been so many changes,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“I think the defence is actually doing very well, it looks makeshift on paper but it outpunches its weight when you think about it.
"Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young have been doing brilliantly well at right and left-back for a few years, Luke Shaw has started to perform really well in the last few months.
“Victor Lindelof has had a good season, Chris Smalling's doing well but in terms of that dominant presence, that is probably the key thing. A full-back and a centre-back in there, although there are other areas of the team.
"Solskajer does need the right support around him now and that was something I said a few months ago.
“The structures and the quality of the people around him to ensure Manchester United get ahead of the game in recruitment is critical.
Express Sport understands Solskjaer will have a £200million war-chest at this disposal in the summer.
And Neville is expecting his old team-mate to splash the cash in his first transfer window.
“The amount of money Man United will spend will be big, but over the last few years, the club haven't fallen short and have always supported the managers,” he continued.
“I don't think the club will fall short in financial terms, they will spend the money.
"It is in the back of my mind that the players have been fantastic in these last few months for Ole, but they are the same players that downed tools under Jose Mourinho.
"And I'm conscious in my mind that the players need maintain that same level of concentration, determination and attitude now that Ole has been made the permanent manager.
"That is the critical thing - getting the signings right, getting the people around Ole right and making sure that the players, although the performances have improved, can continue to maintain the levels they've been at over the last three months and don't dip back to where they were before."
Solskjaer’s first match as Manchester United manager will see his troops welcome eighth-placed Watford to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.