Manchester United fans have good reason to be optimistic about their future under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Red Devils have won 15 of their 22 matches since the Norwegian replaced Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford in December.

While defeat in this Saturday’s clash with West Ham would mark their worst away run in 27 years, it could be seen as an opportunity for Solskjaer to prove his worth.

The honeymoon period during which he oversaw ten victories across his first 11 fixtures in charge is certainly over.

However, no manager worthy of the job Solskjaer holds would shirk at the challenge of turning around a poor run of form.

Six games out from the end of the campaign, United are three points adrift of a top-four battle also contested by Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal.

But while Champions League qualification is the best Solskjaer can achieve this time around, he’s made no secret of his ambition to push for honours next season.

With that in mind, the 46-year-old is ready to sell up to six players during what he says will be a ‘ruthless’ summer.

"I'm under no illusions that this is not going to be plain sailing, it's going to be hard," Solskjaer said, per Goal.

"It's going to be survival of the fittest or survival of the best. That's how ruthless we have to be. We need players here who are going to be able to take us forward.

"That means culture in the dressing room and what we do every single day here to make us challenge again. 

"Liverpool and City are too far ahead at the moment for what we like. We played against a Barcelona team that sets the standard in European football.

"We're under no illusion it's going to be hard work and there will be some tough decisions made by me, Mike [Phelan] and the club.

"We have a certain standard here. We got a great boost, now it's more challenging times with the results and performances.

"You want to see players step up and say now, 'I want to be part of this.'"

Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez headline the players most likely to be used as makeweight when the transfer window opens.

The Red Devils’ prime targets are thought to be Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, West Ham’s Declan Rice and Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale.

Given the potential cost of such high-profile signings, though, it’s no surprise Solskjaer is prepared to gut his squad during the off-season.