Boring under Jose ..roaring under Ole
De Gea supershow inspires Reds as Solskjaer continues to revitalise United’s top-four dreams JOHN CROSS AT WEMBLEY
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER hailed David de Gea as the world’s best keeper as the super Spaniard’s heroics made it six wins from six for Manchester United’s caretaker boss.
The Old Trafford shot-stopper produced one of the best displays you will ever see with a string of incredible saves.
Tottenham could have played all night and not scored as United pulled off a remarkable victory to prove they are well and truly back.
Marcus Rashford’s first-half strike was the difference in the scoreline but it was the hands, legs, arms and feet of the Red Devils No.1 that bagged them the points.
The United players took it in turns to hug De Gea after the final whistle, the manager high-fiving everyone while the jubilant away end saluted their heroes.
Delighted Solskjaer said: “He’s the best in the world. There’s a few other decent ones out there but I’m very happy he’s in my team.
“We had a good back four but David was unbelievable.
“You expect to win every single game at Manchester United. You won’t – but you must think that. That’s the mentality of this group.
“It’s about winning games but you have to realise when you’re at Man United you have to put a smile on your face.
“You have to go into work every day enjoying it because one day, suddenly, it’s over and you look back and say, ‘Oh, that was a great time.’ “Come in, work, enjoy it. If you win games you smile even broader, if not you wake up next day and you go back to work and try again.’’ That last point has been the key to the club’s resurgence and complete transformation in morale. United are just six points off the top four with Chelsea and the Champions League places well within their sights. But the best bit about them is that they are fun again. Gone is the dour, killjoy approach of Jose Mourinho, replaced by a style that has the players smiling.
Solskjaer has reinvigorated United by getting his charges to believe in themselves, to express themselves, whereas under Mourinho they had become inhibited and afraid.
Their goal typified it. Jesse Lingard dispossessed Kieran Trippier, Paul Pogba sprayed the pass of the season to release Rashford and the England striker, stifled playing under Mourinho, raced clear to smash home a stunning finish.
This was the United of old and, with Sir Alex Ferguson looking on from the Wembley stands, it revived memories of when this fixture was one of the most exciting.
Spurs more than played their part as De Gea was forced into a stunning 11 saves, the best with his feet and the pick of the bunch arguably from Toby Alderweireld at his near post.
But Solskjaer also showed that, with the right support cast in players, coaching and fans, he can surely turn the temporary role into a permanent one.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has been linked with the United job, admitted he couldn’t have asked much more of his side.
He said: “I’m so pleased and proud. After four-and-a-half years, the second half was the best performance I’ve seen us play. It was amazing.
“In football, sometimes you deserves to win and don’t while other times you don’t and you win.
“The team played unbelievable football and everyone who watched can feel the same.”