Pogba extends Solskjaer’s winning start

Paul Pogba celebrated the birth of his first child by scoring a penalty to help defeat Brighton 2-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became the first Manchester United manager to win his opening seven games in charge.

Pogba opened the scoring by winning and converting a spot-kick for his 10th United goal of the season -- equalling his best club total in a single campaign.

The France midfielder followed the goal with a ‘cradle rocking’ celebration -- an apparent reference to his partner reportedly giving birth to the couple’s first child.

Yet despite an impressive display by Pogba, who almost added a late third goal with a low shot from just outside the penalty area, it was Marcus Rashford’s moment of brilliance, three minutes before half-time, that drew the most attention.

The England forward received Diogo Dalot’s pass inside the penalty area and, from a tight angle on the left, used quick feet to turn outside Pascal Gross before steering a fine shot into the top corner.

It was a fitting way to mark the academy graduate’s 150th appearance for United, and a reminder of the club’s commitment to its youth policy as the club marked the 25th anniversary of Matt Busby’s death.

Busby, the manager who did arguably more than any other at United to lay down the tradition of bringing through homegrown young players, was commemorated this week by a mural outside Old Trafford that reads ‘Forever Grateful’, and there was a minute’s applause inside the ground before kick-off.

There followed a somewhat nervy victory to ensure a place in the record books for Solskjaer, whose winning streak now includes six successive league victories.

He had suggested that overcoming Brighton would be an even bigger challenge than beating Tottenham Hotspur six days earlier as it would be tough to follow up an impressive win at Wembley against a resilient Brighton side.

Brighton’s flooding of midfield certainly made life difficult for United in the game’s opening quarter, before Pogba and Rashford put them 2-0 clear.

Both players are thriving under Solskjaer’s management, with Pogba in particular looking a much more dynamic player, with the freedom to attack, than he did under Jose Mourinho.

 

Pogba extends Solskjaers winning start

Paul Pogba celebrated the birth of his first child by scoring a penalty to help defeat Brighton 2-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became the first Manchester United manager to win his opening seven games in charge. Pogba opened the scoring by winning and converting a spot-kick for his 10th United goal of the season -- equalling his best club total in a single campaign. The France midfielder followed the goal with a cradle rocking celebration -- an apparent reference to his partner reportedly giving birth to the couples first child. Yet despite an impressive display by Pogba, who almost added a late third goal with a low shot from just outside the penalty area, it was Marcus Rashfords moment of brilliance, three minutes before half-time, that drew the most attention. The England forward received Diogo Dalots pass inside the penalty area and, from a tight angle on the left, used quick feet to turn outside Pascal Gross before steering a fine shot into the top corner. It was a fitting way to mark the academy graduates 150th appearance for United, and a reminder of the clubs commitment to its youth policy as the club marked the 25th anniversary of Matt Busbys death. Busby, the manager who did arguably more than any other at United to lay down the tradition of bringing through homegrown young players, was commemorated this week by a mural outside Old Trafford that reads Forever Grateful, and there was a minutes applause inside the ground before kick-off. There followed a somewhat nervy victory to ensure a place in the record books for Solskjaer, whose winning streak now includes six successive league victories. He had suggested that overcoming Brighton would be an even bigger challenge than beating Tottenham Hotspur six days earlier as it would be tough to follow up an impressive win at Wembley against a resilient Brighton side. Brightons flooding of midfield certainly made life difficult for United in the games opening quarter, before Pogba and Rashford put them 2-0 clear. Both players are thriving under Solskjaers management, with Pogba in particular looking a much more dynamic player, with the freedom to attack, than he did under Jose Mourinho.