Former Man Utd defender Ferdinand comes to Solskjaer's defence after fans' 'Ole out' chant

Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand came to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's defence on Sunday after the manager was subjected to "Ole out" chants from a group of disgruntled fans. 

United's recent woes were confirmed this weekend as they slumped to a second Premier League defeat in just six games at the hands of West Ham. 

Andriy Yarmolenko and Aaron Cresswell netted in each half to give the Hammers a 2-0 win that leaves the Red Devils rooted in mid-table. 

Just over six months ago, Solskjaer was confirmed as the permanent successor to Jose Mourinho on the Old Trafford bench, but there are signs that fans are beginning to turn against the manager despite his stellar reputation as a player at the club. 

Ferdinand at least retains full support for the Norwegian, as he showed in confronting fans chanting "Ole out" while filming a YouTube interview for The United Stand. 

"Come on man where’s that coming from? Ole out, for what? For what? You just want to keep changing managers every week? Is that what everyone wants?" the ex-England international argued in a video he later shared on his Twitter account. 

"Two weeks ago I didn’t see that. It’s too knee-jerk.

"Come on man. Sometimes you’ve got to let things play out."

Ferdinand's calm response following this latest defeat was in stark contrast to other former United figures, who did not hold back in their criticisms after the final whistle. 

Former United captain Roy Keane professed to be "shocked and saddened" by the performance offered, signalling that the club were "lacklustre, [with] no quality, lack of desire, lack of leaders, lack of characters."

Solskjaer's predecessor Mourinho also weighed in, stating :“We were bad last season, but I don’t see any improvement this season, even with three new players (Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Daniel James). And I have to say, players with a positive impact.

“I like the three. I think they are bringing some good quality to the team. But the team as a team, I don’t like at all. I’m not surprised by the result and I don’t think Ole can take any positives from the game.”

United now move onto the Carabao Cup, where they will host Rochdale in midweek before welcoming Arsenal to Old Trafford in the Premier League on September 30.