Former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce has said that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer "must have put himself in poll position" to be appointed Jose Mourinho's permanent successor at Old Trafford.

Solskjaer has won nine of his 10 matches in charge of United and there have been calls for the Norwegian to be appointed the club's permanent boss, having overseen a huge change since replacing Mourinho in December.

United looked to be out of contention for a top-four spot in the Premier League when they lost at Liverpool on December 16, but the 20-time English champions are now just two points off the Champions League positions.

Bruce has paid tribute to Solskjaer's "unbelievable record" since taking control of first-team affairs and has tipped the club's former striker to be appointed on a long-term basis.

"He's been unbelievable, you couldn't wish for a better start," the Sheffield Wednesday boss told talkSPORT. "Nine wins and a draw? It's been quite a remarkable start for him.

"He must have put himself in poll position. He knows the club, he knows what is expected, he knows the demands, he knows what supporters want.

"He's gone in there and put a smile on people's faces and got the rewards, because they look an outstanding team all of a sudden again. You'd like to think they can make the top four - they've got to be competing for that.

"With the run they're on at the moment, they are the in-form team. The big clubs around them have got to go to Old Trafford, I believe, so it's all to play for."

United will look to continue their excellent run of form when they travel to relegation-threatened Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.