Solskjaer’s Man U end away-day misery
NORWICH: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer breathed a huge sigh of relief after Manchester United ended their eightmonth 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 percent start to 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 will travel to Chelsea in the League Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League this week with a spring in their step.
It could have even been worse for the hosts if Canaries goalkeeper Tim Krul had not saved penalties from Rashford and Martial after two VAR decisions controversially overruled match referee Stuart Attwell.
United manager Solskjaer said: “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 of the performance was the chaos wreaked on the Norwich defence by in-form England striker Rashford and Martial, who has just returned from a two-month injury lay-off.
“It was a great finish by Anthony,” Solskjaer said. “He’s vital for us. He’s a top striker, and to have him back fit, smiling and enjoying his football is a big thing for us.”
McTominay punished sloppy home defending to bag United’s 2,000th Premier League goal midway through the first half.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer said Pogba will remain sidelined until December.