ROMELU LUKAKU STRIKES TWICE AS MAN UNITED BEAT SOUTHAMPTON
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer says it was “like the old days” as Manchester United scored a late winner against Southampton to move three points behind third-placed Tottenham.With United two minutes from missing out on fourth spot, Romelu Lukaku struck with a calm finish to settle a pulsating game at Old Trafford.
Lukaku celebrated by taking off his shirt after sealing a 10th win in 12 Premier League games under interim boss Solskjaer.
“I’m so pleased for the boys that they managed to claw three points out of this game,” said Solskjaer, who famously scored a 93rd-minute winner for United in the 1999 Champions League final.
“The manner of it is like the old days. I have been part of it so many times myself.”
Yan Valery had given struggling Saints a surprise lead with an outstanding finish from around 25 yards before United turned it around with two goals in six second-half minutes. Andreas Pereira equalised with a spectacular long-range strike before setting up Lukaku to make it 2-1. Saints fought back to make it 2-2 through James Ward-Prowse’s exquisite free-kick before Lukaku’s dramatic winner.
In an incident-packed match, Paul Pogba missed the chance to make it 4-2 when Angus Gunn saved his late penalty. When Solskjaer was appointed interim manager in December following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, third place looked a distant dream for United. Yet since the Norwegian took charge, United have won at least five more Premier League points than any other side.