ANOTHER STALEMATE
Chiefs, Pirates in 12th successive draw
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer challenged Manchester United to win the race to finish in the Premier League’s top four after Anthony Martial’s sublime strike inspired their 3-0 win over struggling Fulham on Saturday.
Solskjaer’s side took the lead through Paul Pogba’s clinical finish early in the first half at Craven Cottage.
But it was Martial who stole the show as the winger raced over half the length of the pitch before finishing emphatically to double United’s lead before half-time.
That swaggering solo effort was followed by the influential Pogba’s second-half penalty as United moved into fourth place, one point above Chelsea, who faced Manchester City on Sunday.
Winners of six consecutive away games in all competitions for the first time since May 2009, the Red Devils are firmly in the hunt for a top four finish after trailing 11 points behind those places on the day Jose Mourinho was sacked in December.
“The top four is a big thing. There are so many games left, but we hope to stay in the top four. We can’t worry about what other teams do,” Solskjaer said.
United have won 10 of 11 matches in all competitions since Solskjaer replaced Mourinho as interim boss.
Down-playing his contribution to the turnaround, Solskjaer said: “It’s not me making a difference to the club, it’s the whole team together.
“We’ve done really well in the 11 games, but it’s never about one person.”
United remain unbeaten under their former striker Solskjaer, who has lifted the gloom from the unlamented Mourinho’s divisive reign and put himself in contention to land the job on a permanent basis.
Avram Glazer, part of the family that owns United, was watching from the stands, fuelling more talk that Solskjaer could be in charge beyond this season.
“I spoke to him after the game. They are all happy because we won the game,” Solskjaer said.
United’s stroll by the banks of the River Thames was the perfect preparation for their Champions League last 16 first leg against Paris Saint Germain at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
“It was ideal preparation. After we scored the first goal we played fantastic,” Solskjaer said.
Since Solskjaer’s arrival, Pogba, now deployed in a freeroaming role that better suits his personality, has been directly involved in more goals, either scoring or assisting, than any other Premier League player.
“Paul is in a good place at the moment,” Solskjaer said.
“With his attacking play there is always a chance of a goal when he arrives in the box.” –