Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended Cristiano Ronaldo 's efforts after Manchester United 's 'eye-opening' defeat at Leicester City.
The Red Devils lost 4-2 in the east midlands and threw away their 30-game unbeaten record on the road which stretched back to January 2020, with Ronaldo cutting a frustrated figure.
And following the match, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's efforts were criticised, but Solskjaer says the 36-year-old is "doing everything he can" to help his team after sensationally returning to Old Trafford this summer by leaving Juventus.
Ronaldo's lack of pressing has been discussed by pundits and fans alike, with his lowly 2.7 pressures per-90 minutes putting onus on his team-mates to work harder.
"We have got 11 players out there with different roles," the United boss explained ahead of their Champions League match at home to Serie A side Atalanta on Wednesday when asked about the issue.
"We put a team out we think will win a game, if we don't win there will always be criticism — he [Ronaldo] is doing everything he can to help the team."
Alongside Marcus Rashford at the press conference, Solskjaer was asked about the mood in the camp after the four-goal loss which means the Red Devils are winless from their last three Premier League games.
"It is not a jovial happy camp, they are focused and determined," the Norwegian responded.
"Conceding four goals is a big eye-opener for us."
Solskjaer has began his press conference by addressing the media with a Sir Alex Ferguson-esque message.
It followed weekend headlines which focussed on him advising Rashford, who scored on his first appearance of the campaign at Leicester, to now 'concentrate on his football more,' after praising his charitable efforts which have made him a national treasure.
"Just to get the elephant out of the room — we are so unbelievably proud of what Marcus has done on and off the pitch," Solskjaer stated.
"You know what I said and you made a headline out of one little comment I never intended to be the focus of what I was saying."
The Red Devils will welcome Atalanta to Old Trafford before facing Liverpool on Sunday.
Rashford acknowledged the ongoing inquest into United's poor form, outlining how his team "need to go back to basics."
"I think at a club like Man United, if you lose a game this is what happens [a big reaction].
"We need to go back to basics, we've had a conversation as a team as we would anyway.
Will Man Utd get back to winning ways against Atalanta? Comment your score prediction below.
"Winning the next game is always the aim."
Solskjaer, dovetailing off Rashford, went on to say: "Every team will go through a patchy period, we are in one now, we know that.
"The coaching staff we have got is absolutely amazing, the attention to detail, training sessions, preparations.
"I don't think I could ask for better."
He added of their Italian visitors, who are a gung-ho outfit and score goals for fun: "I am very impressed by their way, their style, the way they develop players.
"The manager [Gian Piero Gasperini] is clearly very strong."
