Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ed Woodward in agreement over Man Utd's season

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has echoed Ed Woodward's optimism over Manchester United's future.

And he clearly believes the team will only continue to improve under his management at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have had another mixed campaign under Solskjaer's reign.

On the positive side, they are still in contention in both the Europa League and FA Cup and have improved their Premier League performance compared to last season.

However, their recent poor form has seen them lose ground on leaders Manchester City, and they were also disappointingly knocked out of the Champions League at the group stages of the competition last year.

Ed Woodward declared himself happy with Manchester United's season so far (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

I n a statement detailing United's most recent financial update, vice-executive chairman Woodward appeared satisfied with the steps the side were making under Solskjaer.

He wrote: "The progress made by Ole and the players this season is clear and our thriving academy and women’s team are also adding to the optimism we feel about the future on and off the pitch."

And speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday, Solskjaer said he agreed with Woodward that the future at the club looks bright.

"We've given ourselves a very good chance to improve on last season by the position we are in," Solskjaer said.

"I'd rather be in the position we're in now compared to the one we were in last season. Of course, in the Premier League there's loads of good times, but if we do our job and get as many points as we can I'm sure we'll be up there.

"You'd like to win every game of football, but if you compare to last season and the position we were in, now we are quite a bit higher in the league than we were at this stage.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is convinced good times are ahead for United (Pool via REUTERS)

"But we were still in Europe and the FA Cup. So it's really the league where we have improved most."

With United's title bid all but over, they will now be desperate to ensure at least a finish in a Champions League qualification spot.

But defeat to City this weekend would leave them looking nervously over their shoulders, with fifth-placed Everton just five points behind them having played a match less.