Former Monaco sports chief Tor-Kristian Karlsen says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deserves greater recognition for his work at Manchester United.

Karlsen, however, feels United failed to build on what was achieved last season before Solskjaer's sacking.

"But in retrospect, it seems that they have failed to build the strong performance culture they talked about all the time," Karlsen says to VG.

"At least from the outside, I think Solskjaer was exaggerating when he had to describe the culture in the club. There were always concepts like 'The United Way' - whatever that means - but few details about what specifically was so good about the new measures that they implemented."

Karlsen, however, feels United are on the right track after axing scouts Marcel Bout and Jim Lawlor.

He added, "Here they have set loyalty and 'Manchester United DNA' - again whatever that means - higher than competence, and in the long run they will be revealed. Especially when the competitors are picking up the most talented in the industry. Now it finally seems like the club has learned.

"(Jadon) Sancho must of course be given more time - he (Erik ten Hag) must be able to get more out of him - and (Raphael) Varane is undoubtedly an excellent player."