Manchester United’s star man Paul Pogba says he’s happy with his teams recent offensive performances, after a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Steve Nicol breaks down Manchester United’s latest win over Bournemouth and the turnaround of Paul Pogba since United sacked Jose Mourinho.
MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said Paul Pogba’s performance against Bournemouth proved that he does not need to showboat to prove how good he is.
France international Pogba scored two and made one in the 4-1 win at Old Trafford as Solskjaer continued his perfect start since taking over from Jose Mourinho.
“That is a top, top performance from a midfielder,” the manager told a news conference.
“It’s work rate, headers, winning tackles, no showboating and it’s touch, pass, move and he’s at his best when he plays that game.
“There was maybe one flick he could have done better with, but not a lot else he could have done.”
United have scored 12 goals in three games since Solskjaer took over, while the 45-year-old followed only Sir Matt Busby and Mourinho in winning his first three league games as manager.
And Pogba gave voice to the difference under their new manager after the departure of Mourinho, with whom he had a fraught relationship.
Pogba said: “We are Manchester United and we need to be at the top of the league, it is just a reaction of all of the players and everyone is enjoying themselves.
“It is different, we still won games with the old manager but it is just a different style of playing, we are more offensive and we are creating more chances and that is how we want to play.
“I always want to do more, but I want to play for the team and play simple. We needed the win and we had a great performance as well. We are coming back, and there is still a long way to go, but to finish the year like that is beautiful.”
The one downside against Bournemouth was a late red card for Eric Bailly after a reckless challenge on Ryan Fraser, meaning he will miss games against Newcastle, Reading in the FA Cup and the trip to Tottenham.
“He knows he’s mistimed that one,” Solskjaer said. “He thinks he’s going to win the ball and no complaints [about the decision].”
Solskjaer was a surprise choice to take the reins following Mourinho’s dismissal but is giving himself a chance to getting the job permanently.
He is still under contract at Molde but has hinted that he is keen to be considered for the full-time role.
“It’s quite a few years since I was here, but this is how it was,” he said. “I’ve gone about the job as I experienced it here as a young coach.
“We want to go attacking. We’ve been at home two games and the crowd, we have to entertain them.
“You’ve got good players, good people, they want to learn, improve. I just want to do my bit for the months I’m here.”
Information from Reuters was used in this story.
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