LONDON • Paul Pogba took another swipe at Jose Mourinho on Sunday by thanking Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for giving him the attacking freedom to enjoy his football again.
The France midfielder created the only goal of the game for Marcus Rashford with a wonderful pass as Manchester United extended their remarkable run under their interim manager with a 1-0 Premier League away win over Tottenham.
Solskjaer now has six straight wins - the best start of any United manager - and their turnaround since Mourinho's firing has coincided with a series of match-winning displays from Pogba, who has been given a licence to roam "like Frank Lampard".
Declaring after their Spurs victory he was now "always smiling" as "it was a pleasure to play again", he told reporters: "Before the coach arrived, I was in the shadows, on the bench, and I accepted that.
"I am enjoying playing my football now. I like to be more attacking, I had to defend too much before and that is not my best attribute. This is my position. The manager tells me to get into the box and score goals.
"Everything comes when you are free and you have the trust of the manager and the players, so they make it easier for me as well.
"I know (Nemanja) Matic is there. I know we can press high and, when we get the ball, I can shoot, I can pass and that's what we have been doing since the new manager came in. I have security behind me and have freedom to go, so it helps me."
And if Wembley was an audition for the permanent United role, Solskjaer is surely closer to a callback at the Theatre of Dreams after impressing against Mauricio Pochettino, the man widely tipped as the front runner.
He demonstrated his ability to do the job long term and showed there is science behind the smiles, displaying acuity by exploiting Spurs' vulnerability out wide when they start with a midfield diamond.
Pogba lauded Solskjaer's tactics, insisting he deserved equal credit for the pass that teed up Rashford, saying: "It's a great ball but we've been training for this all week because we knew this was the weakness of Tottenham.
"When they attack one side, they get very high and we need to attack on the opposite side. We knew we could hurt them in this way and we worked on it."
Pochettino abandoned the shape in the second half, switching to a 4-2-3-1, and Solskjaer could not check the shift in momentum, with only the excellence of David de Gea preventing Spurs from not just levelling but winning.
6
Consecutive wins Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has guided Manchester United to, the best of any new manager at the helm of the 20-time English champions.
The Spain No. 1, who later sounded a warning to the rest of the league that they were now seeing "the real United", made 11 saves after the break - more than any other goalkeeper has made in 90 minutes this term - to deny Spurs, and Solskjaer felt he could be the greatest to put on gloves at Old Trafford.
He said: "We've had some great 'keepers at this club and he's challenging both Edwin (van der Sar) and Peter (Schmeichel) for the No. 1 spot historically."
The Norwegian also insisted afterwards the win would have no bearing on his future despite the presence of most of United's power brokers, including executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, former chief executive David Gill and former manager Alex Ferguson in London.
"This game was never about me and him," Solskjaer said of his Argentinian counterpart. "For us, it's three points. We had to beat them today so we had a chance to catch them. Seven points is catchable, 13 would have been impossible.
"I'm just doing my job until my contract runs out at the end of June. The win was massive. Results like this give you confidence."
While de Gea thwarted Spurs' bid to record a first league double over United since the 1989-1990 season, Pochettino showed little sign of disappointment, lauding his side for "one of the best performances that I saw since I've been here and the best 45 minutes (after half-time)".
THE GUARDIAN, REUTERS, THE TIMES, LONDON
HANOI: For two die-hard Malaysian fans, they sold their prized 'Ultras Malaya' memorabilia to fund their trip to Hanoi to watch the return leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final between Malaysia and Vietnam.
Tennis: Singapore one of five cities on shortlist to host ATP
sportstons.com/tennis/tennis-singapore-one-of-five-cities-on-shortlist-to-host-atp-finals-from-2021/
Football: Diehard Malaysian fans sell prized memorabilia to fund trip for AFF Suzuki Cup final against Vietnam December 15, 2018 Tennis Comments Off on Tennis: Singapore one of five cities on shortlist to host ATP Finals from 2021
Andre Gomes 'loving' life at Everton, but unsure on future
sportstons.com/soccer/andre-gomes-loving-life-at-everton-but-unsure-on-future-plans/
Andre Gomes says he is "loving" life at Everton and is enjoying playing with freedom again - but he is unsure what the future holds. Gomes joined Everton in the summer on a season-long loan from Barcelona, where he struggled to impress and often bore the brunt of supporters' frustrations.
Football: Farizal keeps Harimau Malaya walking the talk | The
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino says his players are "still in a dream" after reaching the Champions League semi-finals in dramatic fashion but expects his side to be ready for
Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says Pochettino
Why women pick brains over brawn | Daily Mail Online
Salah's out but Reds not giving up, Football News & Top
Asier Arsuaga Nacido en Tolosa en 1974. Ryan said her office recommended Remyâ s release based, in part, on a conversation prosecutors had with Martel and with
2014 « oceanwise indonesia
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's unbeaten run as Manchester United manager came to an end as his side were thoroughly beaten by Paris St Germain at Old Trafford. Second half goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe were enough for PSG to cruise to a comfortable victory. Paris St Germain grew into the game after Manchester United started the match well.
Solskjaer hails character of players despite winning run
Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku scores their second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park, London, Britain, February 27, 2019. Lukaku rediscovered his finishing touch in fine fashion, scoring a superb goal in each half to help them to a 3-1 Premier League win at Crystal Palace on
Lukaku double inspires Man United to 3-1 win at Palace
Google Keep Google Keep is a note-taking service developed by
New Homes For Sale In Dallas | HISTORYMAKER Homes
May 07, 2019 · Here's how the world reacted to Liverpool's Champions League win. How the world reacted to Liverpool's win over Barcelona. By Daniel Karell May 7 I didn't know if people would
Three things we learned from Barcelona's win over Liverpool
He still "trusts" De Gea. No-one should "blame him" for dropping points. Solskjaer's words will be a comfort to De Gea, as will the vocal backing he received from the United fans, who chanted
I trust him - Solskjaer refusing to drop struggling De Gea
Serie A: Napoli draw puts Juve coronation on hold. Published April 7, 2019. Kindly Share This Story. during the Italian Serie A football match between Napoli and Genoa. Photo: AFP.
Serie A: Napoli draw puts Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus
From Bielsa With Love! Leeds manager admits sending spy to Derby - Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has admitted sending a member of his coaching staff to spy on Derby County ahead of their Championship football match.
Leeds manager Bielsa admits sending spy to Derby - Reuters
Why Chelsea can cope with transfer ban. Maurizio Sarri says he is not worried about Chelsea's looming transfer embargo, insisting he has confidence in his squad as he targets a top-four finish
Chelsea can cope with transfer ban, says Sarri Nigeria News
As with life, striking a balance in football is key to success and happiness. On Friday night in Busan, the Socceroos face Korea Republic in a curious clash, where a new-look squad will take on
Need for speed the answer to topple Thailand | Socceroos
0 comments:
Post a Comment