Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it's important the team plays in the club's best traditions.

Until now he has been careful not to criticise the work of his predecessor, but he looks to have let his guard down for the first time in an interview with Malaysian TV station Astro Supersport.

Solskjaer said: "Man Utd is built around, attacking football and going forwards, not stupid square and backpasses."

The comment about square passes is thought to have been a direct reference to the style of play he discovered in his squad when he arrived just before Christmas.

Solskjaer joined Teddy Sheringham on Astro Supersport after the 1-0 win over Tottenham, and was asked by his former team-mate what he needed to change.

The United boss said: "The first thing you talk about is that you do need to smile when you are a Manchester United player, you do enjoy it because when it's over, you miss it.

“It's about at attacking, it's about pace, power, attack quickly.

"I know we didn't have the best of pace but we still attacked.

“That's what Man Utd is built around, attacking football and going forwards, not stupid square and backpasses."