Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists his side do not lack togetherness as they battle to avoid their lowest ever Premier League points total.

Brazil midfielder Fred claimed the club has “lots of problems” and the squad lacks “the sticking together mentality” in an interview on YouTube channel De Sola last week.

Following a drab 0-0 draw with Wolves at Old Trafford before the winter break United sit eighth in the table on 35 points, 38 behind runaway leaders Liverpool and on course to gather fewer points than their previous lowest tally of 64 in 2013-2014.

Responding to Fred’s claims ahead of Monday’s trip to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Solskjaer said: “This group sticks together, don’t worry about that.

“I haven’t seen the interview or I don’t understand what he’s saying anyway. Fred knows this is a group that wants to give everything for each other.

“I don’t know how to interpret what he said but I’ve got no issues with Fred at all and I’ve got no issues with the group not giving everything for each other.”

Deadline-day signing Odion Ighalo will be part of the squad at Stamford Bridge and Solskjaer has backed the former Watford striker to make an impact, despite an unorthodox start to his loan at the club.

Ighalo has not been working at United’s training base since his surprise switch from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua due to concerns over the coronavirus.

“I never said he was going to be ready to play on Monday, he’ll be involved with us and travel down with us,” Solskjaer said. “We’ve kept in touch with him and of course we’ve done our own programme, he’s done his, and it was always going to be a case of him having to integrate having been out in China.

“He needs to get used to the players, the team, up to speed as quick as he can. He’s probably been pinching himself at times, being at his favourite club at the age of 30 but he’s earned it.”