(REUTERS) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should be favourite to be named Manchester United manager next season because he has restored the club's "culture and identity" after being put in caretaker charge, according to former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

The 46-year-old Norwegian's impact on a side that was labouring under Jose Mourinho has surpassed expectations, with United unbeaten in 14 domestic fixtures since he took over from the Portuguese in December.

"He's put himself as a front runner (for the permanent role at United) for sure, he has done incredibly well," Schmeichel was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"It's been really good to have this Manchester United mentality, culture, identity back at the club. You only have to look at the results to see how important that has been."

United have earned 29 points in the league since the Norwegian was appointed, more than any other team in that period.

"You can argue it's a free ride for him because he's there on a short-term basis and he's going to be evaluated for the job on a permanent basis," added the Dane, who played alongside Solskjaer in the United team who won the Champions League, English Premier League and FA Cup in 1999.

"But you know he can go on and he can set his team free, go and attack, go and have fun, commit people forward and try to score goals."

Fifth-placed United host fourth-bottom Southampton in the league on Saturday (March 2).