Solskjaer's reaction to Turf Moor triumph

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was pleased to end 2019 on a high with a 2-0 victory at Burnley on Saturday.

Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford found the net at Turf Moor to seal a third away win on the road in the Premier League this term, which moves Ole's men up to fifth in the table ahead of Sunday's fixtures.

Speaking to BT Sport, MUTV and at his press conference afterwards, the boss addressed the key points coming out of a bruising fixture with Sean Dyche's Clarets...

A CLEAN SHEET AND THREE POINTS

“I think, in the first half, we laid the foundation. We could go in and defend in the second half - and the defending was brilliant. Harry [Maguire] and Victor [Lindelof] were brilliant and stood up against two real handfuls of strikers. Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes. I wouldn’t like to be a centre-back playing against them!

”The full-backs were really, really aggressive in stopping crosses and, when the crosses came in, Harry and Victor were unbelievable. Harry had a couple of headers near the end that gives us the points. At 1-0, we defend and then we get the second one. We should have got it earlier but, finally, we got it. David [De Gea] is delighted with the clean sheet and the back four is as well.

“Of course, we needed it. We haven’t had one since September in the league and it’s important for David and Harry and Vic, of course. But as a team, we know you can’t play fantastic football and score four or five every time. We’ve scored quite a few lately but have conceded some too. If you don’t concede, then you’ve got a chance.”

MARCUS MATURING

“He’s got everything physically. He’s got great mentality, the right attitude and he’s one of our own. He’s just going to get better and better, he’s still only 22. He’ll grow and he’s got his best years ahead of him and he’s been a leader. He’s really showed his maturity.”

MARTIAL IN FORM

“I thought he would [score] towards the end as well when he stopped and turned around and wanted to play it back to David! I don’t know what he was doing there! He’s a goalscorer and he’s got confidence. We’ve got to keep playing him and giving him chances.”

DE GEA'S VITAL SAVE FROM BARDSLEY

“If Bardo is going to score from 25 yards and beat David then the world is ending! It was a good save, a strong hand, and he did well today, David.”

JAMES AN ABSOLUTE CREDIT

“Dan is so tenacious. He’s got a great attitude, desire and a hunger for football. We left him out in the last match against Newcastle to rest him for this game as he’s played so much football. He’s been unbelievable - to be kicked as much as he does, and get up, is a testament to his character and his family and his upbringing.”

ROLL ON 2020

“Well we want to get there [into the top four] and we’re not far away. That is the challenge for this team. We did it towards the end of last season, we were close there and then we dropped off. Now, they responded to the defeat against Watford and I’ve put a challenge to them. I’m very happy with them.

“In football, you’ve got to earn the right to win every single game. Every one gives you a different challenge. Arsenal away is a completely different challenge. We handled what Burnley threw at us but Arsenal will give us other things to think about. We’ll be ready for it.”