Ole thrilled with comeback victory

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has praised his Manchester United side’s mental resolve after we came from a goal behind to beat Newcastle United 4-1 on Boxing Day.

The Reds were pegged back early on by Matty Longstaff in the first period, before a ruthless three-goal retort before the break, via Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford.

Martial netted another in the second half to grab all three points and the boss had plenty of kind words for his charges after the game, when speaking to MUTV, Amazon Prime and during his press conference...

A GREAT ATTITUDE

“I thought we did well today. Obviously, at 1-0 down, you’re not sure. Then again, all season we’ve had one defeat and we haven’t lost the next one. So, the response was really good. Today was a good day for us. We made it comfortable and, in the second half, I think both teams were looking at the game in two days’ time. There is nothing wrong with the character in these boys. They have what it takes and are not going to give up.“

NEWCASTLE'S ERRORS

“It was good that we made them make mistakes, which is a positive thing. That pressing, intensity and work without the ball made them make their mistakes. They're goalscorers, all three of them. Anthony is very happy with the two goals, of course, and it was a fantastic header by Marcus from a great cross by Aaron. Mason, when he's in and around the box, you know he will hit the target. Would I expect him to have eight goals already? Yeah. Definitely. He just oozes goals. He was ill after Watford and missed some training but he's done well today and lasted the game so we're very pleased.”

WAN-BISSAKA’S WONDERFUL ASSIST

“Aaron does have the quality to go forward and the energy and attitude to go up and down. It was great to see him put in the cross for Marcus as well because he was too tentative, maybe, early on. He was playing behind [Miguel] Almiron when I wanted him to go past Almiron. They were playing 5-3-2 so we needed to go high with the full-backs.”

SUBSTITUTIONS EXPLAINED

“I've been taken off so many times by the gaffer so, no, I didn't have to explain myself to Anthony [replacing him when he was on a hat-trick]. It's about getting ready again. He's getting fit and is playing more and more games. We have another match in 48 hours and I can't risk the forwards. We don't have too many of them. It was an easy decision to take Anthony and Marcus off to get them ready for Burnley.

”Marcus is a physical specimen. He is looking after himself and working hard in the gym. He has got that spring and has worked on it. It's about courage and getting up there. I remember a boy I used to play with, who could head it quite well when he was close to the goal. We compare him to Cristiano [Ronaldo] quite often, it’s one of those where it can be another string to his bow because Cristiano had it when he was getting to that age as well.“

WHAT GREENWOOD OFFERS

“I think Mason is 50-50 with his left and right, probably 60-60 because he is so good with both of them. It’s hard for defenders. There are not many I can remember like that, but he has every single technique as well. He can strike it or place it. Mason can hit it with both feet and he’s an exceptional finisher. He’s got the lot to improve on. He’s young and he’s got to learn the game. He knows what he needs to learn. He’s been told. I can remember when I was 18 and I wasn’t anywhere near playing at the level he is. He is learning and growing as a human being as well. He’ll grow more and more. We’re not going to see the best of Mason for a couple of years. Marcus is 22 now and he sprung onto the scene at a similar age to Mason, more or less. We’re seeing maturity in his game. Mason has to learn how to head it as well as Marcus did today, because it was a fantastic goal.”

PLANNING AHEAD

“Well, I think we’re moulding the group together and we’re finding our identity. We know our identity, which is part of what we saw today. Of course, they’re young lads, but they need some experienced players with them and we need some patience. We can’t wait for next season. Of course we’re building for next year, because we’re not going to win the league this year, but we need to think about winning trophies this year. We’ve got pace, power and personality. That’s what we’re looking to bring back to this club. We always had quick, flowing football and it happens to be today that we can see parts of it.”

NEXT UP, BURNLEY

“They bounced back really well today and let’s see how they deal with some praise. Then it’s a different type of game in 48 hours - Burnley away - you need to roll your sleeves up and take the fight. That’s the positive thing that you’ve got young kids. Because they’ll recover quicker. It’s harder for a 30/32-year-old, but, for these boys, they’re ready in 48 hours.”