Solskjaer: The boys were a joy to watch

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer felt his players expressed themselves in the 3-1 victory at Norwich City, our first Premier League win on the road this season.

Speaking to MUTV and in his post-match press conference, the manager was pleased to get a second successive away triumph on the board, with two more trips still to come, to Chelsea (in the Carabao Cup in midweek) and Bournemouth, before the Reds are next in action again at Old Trafford.

Scott McTominay opened the scoring and Marcus Rashford had a penalty saved by Tim Krul before doubling the lead. Canaries keeper Krul also kept out an Anthony Martial spot-kick but the Frenchman converted a Rashford backheel to make the points safe, before Onel Hernandez's late consolation.

REDS HIT TOP GEAR
“It was great to watch them at times, it looked like they were more free to express themselves and the confidence grew more as the game went on. When they dropped their shoulders and just play the way we know they can play, like they did today, they're a joy to watch.”

FIRST AWAY VICTORY OF LEAGUE SEASON
“It's two away wins in three days, not bad. It's been too long, of course, and it's great to have done it. This performance was the pleasing thing. It's a difficult place to come to but, when you're as focused and concentrated and on the front foot, as we were today, we can beat anyone away from home.”

ATTACKING CHEMISTRY
“I think it's going to improve and improve - it's fantastic to have Anthony back. He's been missed for eight weeks and Dan [James] and Marcus have done really well over the last two months, while he's been away. Loads of attacking play has been through them. They stretch teams so much, it creates space for people like Andreas [Pereira] today, I thought he was excellent today. The midfield can have more space and it continues and continues, and the performance depends on the forwards. When they play like this, it creates more space for others. We're trying to improve that relationship [between Martial and Rashford] more and more. Sometimes, it's two up front. Sometimes, like today, three up front. I'm very pleased with the whole team.”

SPOT-KICK STRIFE
“How many have we missed? I think we'll get more and more and more penalties. They are so quick on their feet, especially those three we're talking about. Anthony, Marcus, even Jesse [Lingard], when he comes on there, Mason [Greenwood] and Dan. They're so quick, you've got to be 100 per cent sure when you make a tackle. We'll get more but have to practice putting them in the goal. Even though both should be retaken because the keeper is a yard off his line so they should have been retaken.”

WHO WILL TAKE THE NEXT PENALTY?
“I'll make sure Juan Mata is on the pitch! We've got players, you know, who won a few penalty shoot-outs in the Carabao Cup and in pre-season. They all score penalties apart from when it comes to the ones that matter.”

VIEW ON VAR
“The first one, I don't think is a penalty. It takes two minutes to make the decision so it's not clear and obvious. For me, that's wrong. The second one is a penalty for me. I'd be unhappy to get the first one against me, but Marcus did the honorable thing and missed it!!”

MARTIAL MAKES A DIFFERENCE
“It was a great finish by Anthony. He's vital for us. He's a top striker and to have him back; fit, smiling and enjoying his football, of course, is a big thing for us. He's clever in his movement and he's not been given credit for his defending, clever defending. We feel Anthony is an important player for us and we felt the effects of him not being there. We're pleased to have him back and scoring goals.”

MARCUS'S MENTALITY
“It was an excellent response [to missing the penalty]. Just to see Marcus chasing the ball down with Max Aarons, probably in a 50-yard sprint, and making a tackle in front of the dug-out was the best response you can ask from a player.”

MIDFIELD GETTING BETTER
“Fred was excellent, with Scotty. The two of them in the last two games we've played, against Liverpool and in this one. I'm delighted for Fred. He's had a tough time but he's improving and improving. He'll be important for us as we've got some injuries.”