Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken a leaf out of his former boss Alex Ferguson’s book and said on Wednesday that he hopes cosmetic changes in the club’s stands can bring about a change in their home form this season.

Solskjaer said United have changed the colour of the banners around the pitch from red to black, after his players found it difficult to distinguish red shirts against the red background.

The move comes a day after the 25th anniversary of former United boss Alex Ferguson’s infamous complaints after a loss at Southampton, when he ordered his players to change their grey kits as they were struggling to pick each other out.

United have failed to win their last three European games at Old Trafford, with Solskjaer suggesting playing in red shirts against red empty seats could also be a small contributing factor.

“You’ll see a change now the banners around the place. It is not red anymore,” Solskjaer told a news conference.

United are in a strong position ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final return leg against Granada at Old Trafford, having claimed a 2-0 win in the away leg.