Solskjaer rule is just perfect says Pogba
PAUL POGBA believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s successful start at Manchester United is because he “knows the mentality” of the club.
The midfielder played a key role in Sunday’s win over Tottenham – the club’s sixth win out of six since the former United striker took interim charge of the side after the departure of Jose Mourinho.
It was felt that the Portuguese never really got to grips with the philosophy of the club.
But after 11 successful years serving under Sir Alex Ferguson, there is little anybody can teach Solskjaer about that.
Pogba said: “As a player he knew the mentality of this club. He has come back to help us and it is going very well. The season is long so let’s see how it goes.”
The pair have a long history, with Pogba joining the United academy in 2009 when Solskjaer was midway through his two-and-a-halfyear stint as the club’s full-time reserve coach.
The Frenchman was only 16 when he was first called up to the reserves in December of his first year at the club, and made three more substitute appearances later in the same season after spending most of his time with the Under-18s.
Two more starts the following season took his tally of games to just six before Solskjaer left to join Molde as manager in December 2010.
“It’s a pleasure to be reunited with him,” said Pogba.
“I knew him from the academy and the reserves, when his nickname was ‘Supersub’. He is doing a really good job.
“Before the coach arrived back I was in the shadows, on the bench, and I accepted that. It is a pleasure to play again. That’s normal. Now I am always smiling.
“I am playing a bit further forward. I have more security behind me, it gives me the freedom to go forwards to try to get into the box and support the strikers.”
Bringing that individual touch seems to be a feature of Solskjaer’s managerial style.
And Jesse Lingard has revealed finishing sessions between Marcus Rashford and Solskjaer in Dubai contributed to the win over Spurs.
Solskjaer said afterwards he expected the England international to go for the near post when he netted his winning goal just before half-time at Wembley.
But Lingard revealed Rashford had been working closely with the Norwegian during United’s recent warm-weather training camp.
“Throughout the training session in Dubai, he’s been practising his finishing with the manager,” said Lingard. “It’s prepared him for big games and moments like that.”
As well as being able to offer individual advice, the former Cardiff boss has impressed his players with his tactical acumen.
Holiday
Against Spurs he played Rashford and Anthony Martial wide to keep the opposition full-backs in check, allowing Lingard to occupy a more central role.
“It was good and I really enjoyed it,” added Lingard. “We have been practising all week in Dubai with the formation.
“Tactically it was great in the first half. It wasn’t a holiday over there, it was all work.
“We’re very organised under Ole. We want to attack, we want to make those runs forward.
“The midfielders are running forward and we’re putting other teams under pressure. It’s working and we need to carry it on.
“For us now, we’ve got to keep looking forward. We’ve got another game against Brighton on Saturday and we need three points. Then we’ll see where we are at the end of the season.”
United’s strikers have the added boost of knowing that with goalkeeper David De Gea in the form he showed against Spurs, just one goal will be enough.
Lingard admitted it was such a big boost that he urged his bosses to tie up the Spain international beyond the 18 months of his current contract.
He said: “We want him to stay. Having a keeper like that gives you extra confidence. He’s great.”