Will Power

Monday, December 31, 2018

Solskjaer: It was a really good performance

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer picked up a third win in three games as Manchester United's caretaker manager, as the Reds swept aside Bournemouth 4-1 at Old Trafford, and the Norwegian was naturally delighted with his team's performance.

He was also pleased with how the Reds managed the game after racking up a comfortable lead, and there were a number of individuals earning his praise, including Victor Lindelof, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford.

Scroll down to read what Solskjaer had to say to Sky Sports, as well as to reporters in his press conference.

WE MANAGED THE GAME WELL

“In the first half, you go out and attack the game with high tempo, high energy and winning the ball back, but the response to Bournemouth's goal [in first-half injury time] was great. I thought the second half was excellent. We managed the game so much better than we did against Huddersfield for example.”

POGBA COULDN'T HAVE DONE MUCH MORE

“That is a top, top performance from a midfielder because it was all round. His work rate, he was dangerous in the box, he won headers, he won tackles and there was no showboating. It was touch, pass and move. He played an efficient game. And Paul knows he is at his best when he plays that game. There was one flick maybe that he missed half way through the second half which he could have maybe done better, but there is not much more he could have done. We want to see the best out of all the players, we want to see them enjoy themselves and express themselves, but within the framework and how we want the team to play. All of them have really performed up to their top standards.”

RASHFORD'S WORK ETHIC WAS UNBELIEVABLE
“I think Marcus has been different class since I have come in. He has scored two goals now in three games. His work rate is unbelievable. He closes down, chases, runs in behind and his skill for the first goal for Paul today was [brilliant]. The first thing is he holds up the ball up and hasn’t got the right to go past the first defender, but then to go past the second defender... he has got all the potential in the world to be a top, top striker.”

BAILLY'S RED CARD
“Eric [Bailly] knows it is a rash challenge, he doesn’t have to do it. Just stay on your feet. But once in a while, when the boys are excited, we want to win the ball back and sometimes we mistime a challenge. Eric is the first one to accept that he made a mistake.”

DELIGHTED FOR LUKAKU
“He is a good, good target man, but if you tell him to be a target man he will never face the goal. Today he was side on, so he could go in behind or go towards the ball and he has got the attributes of a top striker, but we need to work on his fitness because he has had a few days off, but I am delighted for him even though he was half a yard offside, but it was still a good finish.”

LINDELOF HAS ADAPTED
“He is a cultured, European centre back. He gets on the ball, he passes it really well, he knows when to quicken things up and slow things down. It is different to play in England and he has had time to adapt and he has been excellent in all three games I must say.”

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A CLEAN SHEET
“You always look for improvements. You can’t switch off for one second in this league, you cannot switch off. We looked from the side-line what they were going to do and it happened, a great touch by the kid [David Brooks, who crossed for Nathan Ake's header], but I have to say it was a very, very good performance.

”We are looking for that clean sheet, we are looking for that foundation to let those front four just go and enjoy themselves because when you know you are keeping a clean sheet at the back, it is easier to perform and to create chances, nothing is rushed. It was a really, really good performance. The crowd were enjoying it.

“Now Newcastle is the next one, that’s a challenge, that’s a different kind of test.”

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