OLE’S GOLDEN OLDIES LEADING FROM FRONT
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says Manchester United’s “old boys” strike partnership could be here to stay.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani have a combined age of 70 and they are not skinning anyone for pace these days.
But Solskjaer is a big believer that experience counts when you are in trouble and it was his golden oldies who dug him out of an almighty hole at Spurs.
The Norwegian simply could not afford to lose in north London after United’s 5-0 hammering at home to Liverpool last weekend.
Solskjaer called that humiliation “the worst feeling ever” and there were some inside Old Trafford who wondered if he had reached the end of the road.
But Ronaldo scored a wonder goal to set them on the way and then set up Cavani for a brilliant second before Marcus Rashford came on to
add an insurance marker. Both the first two goals were finishes so exquisite only a select few could have pulled them off – both into the one place Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris could not get to.
And while it may not be good news for Jadon Sancho, Rashford, or Mason Greenwood, Solskjaer could be tempted to ride his new-look attack again.
The United boss, suddenly safe from the sack, said: “They’re fit lads and their experience shone through. It’s something we might do the next game. It worked here, that’s for sure.
“It was the oldest team I’ve picked for Manchester United and it was time for it.
“The old men led from the front. They play well together.
“They have loads of respect for each other. The work-rate and quality is second to none.”
At 36 and 267 days, Ronaldo became the oldest player to score and assist in a Premier League game since Didier Drogba in 2014.
And though he is 34, Cavani was everywhere, closing people down, bamboozling defenders with his movement, doing the dirty work.
Ronaldo’s assist for Cavani was the first time two players over 34 had combined to score a league goal for United since Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs in 2010.
Solskjaer even had the luxury of taking both men off before the end to rest up ahead of tomorrow ’s Champions League clash with Atalanta.
Has he found the answer? Ronaldo and Cavani surely cannot be expected to start every game together this season. But for now it looks like the United boss will ride with it and rotate the duo’s supporting cast as needed.
The pair certainly got the best out of Bruno Fernandes, who looked to feed them at every chance and set up the opener.
Solskjaer’s move to a back three also gave his team much more defensive solidity – but it was Scott Mctominay who really provided the grit.
The Scotland midfielder made four tackles, one interception and two clearances.
He also won 10 of his 17 duels, was successful with every long ball and dribble – and had a pass rate of 92 per cent.
Mctominay was United’s beating heart and he looks just as indispensable right now as his two big-name team-mates.
After Atalanta, United host City in the Manchester derby. And you can bet that, barring injury, all three will start.