High-flying United move up to fourth
LONDON: Manchester United rolled confidently to their 10th win in 11 games under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 3-0 win at Fulham yesterday, climbing into the Champions League places in the Premier League.
Paul Pogba fired United ahead from an impossibly tight angle in the 14th minute, springing in behind the defence and onto a pass from Anthony Martial on the left, turning and shooting first time between goalkeeper Sergio Rico and the near post.
Martial doubled the lead nine minutes later in style, collecting the ball on the halfway line, jinking past Denis Odoi and racing all the way into the area before stroking his shot beyond the reach of Rico.
Romelu Lukaku had an anonymous first half, outshone by his two French team mates. But he helped create the penalty that led to the third goal when he charged forward to pass to Juan Mata, who was bundled over inside the area by Maxime Le Marchand.
Pogba converted from the spot to put the game beyond Fulham’s reach, and was then substituted, most likely to keep him fit ahead of a tough schedule in the coming weeks.
United face French champions Paris Saint-Germain in a Champions League last-16 tie, Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round, and host arch-rivals Liverpool all within the month.
The win at Fulham lifts United into fourth place in the league, ahead of Chelsea’s visit to Manchester City today.
Fulham remain in relegation territory, and they too have a tough schedule ahead. Yet to win away from home this season, their next three visitors at Craven Cottage are all powerhouses — Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Meanwhile, United striker Marcus Rashford won the Premier League Player of the Month award for his superb performances in January while Solskjaer was crowned manager of the month.
It is the first time that a United manager has won the award since Sir Alex Ferguson in October 2012 — his final season and one that ended with the Premier League crown.