Away day blues over
EIGHT-MONTH DROUGHT CONSIGNED TO HISTORY
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer breathed a huge sigh of relief after Manchester United ended their eight-month wait for a Premier League away win as his side beat Norwich City 3-1 on Sunday.
Goals from Scott McTominay, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial capped a stunning United performance in an entertaining game at Carrow Road.
After last weekend’s gritty draw at Old Trafford ended Liverpool’s 100% start to the season, the thought of a block of four straight away league and cup games must have had Solskjaer squirming.
Yet his side, still missing Paul Pogba, saw off Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday to clear the first hurdle.
With Norwich now also put to the sword, United travel to Chelsea and Bournemouth this week with a spring in their step.
It could have even been worse for the hosts if Canaries keeper Tim Krul had not saved penalties from Rashford and Martial after two VAR decisions controversially overruled referee Stuart Attwell.
Solskjaer did not dwell too long on the drama after watching his side put in a dominant performance against a Norwich side who had already stunned rivals Manchester City this season.
Solskjaer admitted: “It’s been too long but it’s great to have it done. But of course the performance was the pleasing thing.”
United’s puzzling form has seen them able to hold their own against this season’s Premier League’s big-hitters, taking eight points from 12 against Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Leicester.
Yet, until Sunday they had failed to beat Southampton, Newcastle, Wolves and West Ham on the road.
The Norwegian said: “This is a difficult place to come to, but when we are as focused and concentrated and on the front foot as we were today then we can beat anyone away from home.”
The most positive aspect was the chaos wreaked on the Norwich defence by in-form England striker Rashford and Martial, who has just returned from a twomonth injury lay-off.
They were ably supported by Andreas Pereira and Daniel James, with Harry Maguire at the heart of a solid defence.
Solskjaer believes Martial can have a huge impact on United’s season if he can stay fit.
“It was a great finish by Anthony,” he said. “He’s a top striker, and to have him back fit, smiling and enjoying his football is a big thing for us. He’s clever in his movement and one thing he’s not given credit for is his defending.”
McTominay punished sloppy home defending to score United’s 2 000th Premier League goal midway through the first half and the visitors never looked back.
Rashford doubled United’s lead when he finished off a counter-attack and Martial got on the scoresheet in the 73rd minute, curling the ball past Krul.
Norwich substitute Onel Hernandez became the first Cuban to score in the Premier League with a late consolation. – AFP