‘We did it the hard way and the beautiful way – I love winning’
Paul Pogba said Manchester United’s victory over Fulham was secured in a “beautiful way” and insisted he will be happy at the club as long as they are winning, after his sensational strike returned them to the top of the Premier League table.
Pogba scored a superb individual goal in the second half as United came from behind to beat Fulham at Craven Cottage, and his performances continue to improve, despite lingering doubts over his long-term future at the club.
“We did it the hard way and we did it the beautiful way,” said Pogba. “We had to come back and we needed this win and we got it. I hit the ball well, I did not expect it with the left foot like this, but if you don’t try, then you don’t score.
“It was a beautiful goal and a beautiful win. I love winning. It is all about winning. I will always be happy when I win and I will always be happy when I am on the pitch. The day we lose I will be angry again. This is me.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United manager, described it as a “vital” victory and said Pogba had shown once again that he posseses all the ingredients to be a match-winning midfielder for the club.
“We have always said Paul can do everything. He can play wide, play in midfield, create chances and shoot,” said Solskjaer. “Today we felt his position was in midfield and what a goal with his left foot. He was so committed and got tackles in as well.
“I am very happy with his performances. I know what he can do – it was all about getting him running and getting him match fit. We know that he can do more or less everything that can be asked of a midfielder.
“When you win tight games, those two extra points for a win instead of a draw are vital. Let’s see where we are at the end.”
Solskjaer insisted he would give no thought to the club’s league position at this stage of the season, but he hailed his side’s ability to emerge victorious in tighter games, saying these hard-fought wins would add up to “many, many points” over the course of the campaign.
He also revealed that United’s preparations had been disrupted by their inability to find a training pitch for a light session on the day of the game.
“We stayed in a hotel all day,” he said. “We were looking for a pitch to do a training session this morning to freshen our heads and freshen our legs. We couldn’t find anywhere, because of the Covid and the bubble.”
Fulham head coach Scott Parker said his side were “superb” in defeat but rued their failure to convert their chances in the second half.
They remain in the relegation zone but have produced impressive performances against some of the league’s most formidable sides in recent weeks.
“We came up short in the end, but overall I thought we were superb,” said Parker. “Big chances are the fine margins of this league.
“I am disappointed because I stand here and I feel we should have got something from the game. In the second half we had some big opportunities.
“I am disappointed and I suppose it shows how far we have come. It is something to keep working on. We are looking more solid as a team.
“I think we have played six of the seven best teams in the league recently and we have gone toe to toe. From now on we need to go on and pick up some points.
“I saw a team today that looked threatening and tried their hardest to get back into the game, but we go again. The next challenge is to maintain where we are and don’t let defeat sink us. No doubt we can win and operate in this division.”