London: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dream start as Manchester United’s interim boss continued at St James’ Park Wednesday as the Red Devils defeated Newcastle united 2-0 which also saw him emulate an achievement set by the club’s most legendary figure Matt Busby.
Busby was the only other United manager to win his first four games in charge, way back in 1946, but the Norwegian, who has breathed fresh life into the team since Jose Mourinho’s sacking, demonstrated his fresh-faced Midas touch again.
His second-half introduction of Romelu Lukaku saw the big Belgian score within 38 seconds and when Marcus Rashford slotted home the second, it meant United have now scored 14 goals and earned maximum points from their four matches under Solskjaer.
“You’d be happy with four wins from four — and finally we kept a clean sheet too,” said a delighted Solskjaer, who reiterated his desire to turn his temporary appointment into a full-time job. “We were slow in the first half but we controlled the game well, we concentrated and overall it was a very professional performance.”
Manchester United were 11 points off the fourth Champions League spot when Solskjaer took over a fortnight ago but their gap behind Chelsea is now already down to six points.
While sixth-placed United were celebrating the start of what promises to be a rather happier new year, Chelsea who announced the signing Christian Pulisic earlier in the day, Borussia Dortmund for 64 million euros suffered a frustrating start to 2019 after being held to a goalless draw at home by Southampton.
On the other hand, there was more misery for bottom club Huddersfield Town, who after taking the lead at home to Burnley through Steve Mounie’s first goal since April tumbled to a 1-2 defeat with 10 men.
The loss left the Terriers eight points from safety on 10 points — four adrift of 19th-placed Fulham — while Burnley burst out the bottom three into 16th on 18 points.
Wolverhampton Wanderers lost to Crystal Palace 0-2 while at Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth drew 3-3 with Watford, with all six goals coming in the first half, including five in the space of 13 mad minutes.
West Ham United had Marko Arnautovic’s three-minute double in the second half to thank for them coming from 0-2 down at the London Stadium to secure a 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Ole wants to stay
London: Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he does not want to leave the club in the summer. “I don’t want to (leave),” said Solskjaer Wednesday when asked about his future beyond this season. “It is such a great bunch of players, a fantastic atmosphere. But it is the next game, the next game and I am doing my job for as long as I am here.”