United finally on top; Blades break drought

MANCHESTER: It has been a long, expensive and often turbulent journey, but Manchester United is back in a place it used to know so well — top of the English Premier League.

A 10 win at Burnley, secured by a deflected volley from Paul Pogba on 71 minutes, lifted United above great rival Liverpool to the summit of England’s topflight after 17 games.

‘‘It’s a brilliant position to be in,’’ Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

Sir Alex Ferguson was still in charge the last time United led the standings this deep in a league campaign — during the 201213 season in which it won the title in what proved to be the Scot’s final season as a manager.

Norwegian Solskjaer said this week ‘‘noone remembers the January league tables’’ but it did not stop him having a look of satisfaction at the final whistle.

Quite justifiably, too, given the criticism he has faced in his two years in charge, mostly from those who believe he is not qualified to be a manager at this level.

Yet he has done something David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, his three predecessors after Ferguson’s retirement, were unable to do — at least this far into a season.

United was briefly top in September 2017, while a seasonopening win over Leicester City in August 2018 put the team in first place for one day in what proved to be a false hope.

United has a threepoint lead over Liverpool that could immediately be wiped out, as Solskjaer’s side heads to Anfield on Monday.

‘‘We’re ready, we’re excited, we’re hungry for it and it’s a test of character and quality again,’’ Solskjaer said.

At the other end of standings, Sheffield United ended the longest winless start to a premier league season. After 18 league games and more than six months, The Blades finally have a victory: a 10 win over 10man Newcastle United, secured by substitute Billy Sharp’s 73rdminute penalty. Last season, Chris Wilder’s side was chasing a European spot but this term it is bottom and nine points from safety — but at least has a glimmer of hope of staying up now.

Everton moved back into the top four and the final Champions League qualification spot with a 21 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Alex Iwobi put Everton ahead early before Ruben Neves equalised eight minutes later. However, Michael Keane headed home the winner 13 minutes from time for the Toffees.