LONDON • One of the reasons Ed Woodward appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United's interim manager was based on the belief that the Norwegian could get the best out of Paul Pogba.
It was the former striker who gave a 16-year-old Pogba his debut for United's reserve team in 2009 and his admiration for the midfielder has not dimmed.
Four months ago, when Jose Mourinho's faith in the player was waning, Solskjaer, who is on loan from Norwegian club Molde till the end of the season, said he "would absolutely, no doubt build the United team around him".
His ringing endorsement was repaid by Pogba, who scored only his second brace in the Premier League, in their 3-1 home win over Huddersfield on Boxing Day.
With the midfielder adding to his two assists in the 5-1 win at Cardiff, Solskjaer feels that United are finally seeing the "Paul I know".
He said: "He is one I really enjoyed (watching today). The Paul I've known since he was in the reserves and youth team with me.
"He has always been a happy boy, he's always had a big smile on his face. Paul loves playing for this club. He's a United boy through and through, a kid who knows what it means to play for United."
Pogba had been benched for the three league games prior to Mourinho's sacking, but Solskjaer has shown faith since taking over, restoring the French World Cup winner to his two starting line-ups.
While the Red Devils again cruised to victory, the outcome could have been different if goalkeeper David de Gea had not kept out an effort from Laurent Depoitre moments before the hosts' second goal, scored by Pogba.
"Dave's save was the defining moment. One of the best saves I've seen," said Solskjaer.
The 46-year-old also touched on his return to Old Trafford, where he spent 11 seasons as a player.
He said: "It's special to walk out there, hearing the crowd again singing my song. Normally, they started after I scored a goal, not before the game after I walked out.
"I'll never forget these two games."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE TIMES, LONDON
Mourinho says 'United is the past' but will coach again
• Some would call it a racial divide. • racial equality • The event is designed to promote racial harmony. • Local police deny that have used racial profiling when stopping motorists. • The heads of civil rights organizations that gathered for the announcement praised Flagstar for making real racial progress.
Police face racism scandal after black man records abuse | UK
Malaysia 0-1 Singapore: Faris' late goal settles derby in football's AirMarine Cup Faris Ramli ran onto Khairul Amri's through ball to beat Malaysia goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi for the game's
Malaysia 0-1 Singapore: Faris' late goal settles derby in
Allura sped out of the castle bay on her speeder with the five colorful lions close in pursuit.At first she had been worried if they would be able to keep up with the small and speedy machine, but that doubt was soon washed as the paladins ran by her sides.
Lions are on the hunt in Edwards, wildlife officials say
Pele had been admitted to hospital in France last week after suffering a fever following an event in the city with French World Cup-winner Kylian Mbappe. — AFP pic. SAO PAULO, April 14 — Brazilian football great Pele had a successful operation to remove a kidney stone yesterday, doctors in Sao Paulo said.
Pele 'recovering well' after kidney stones surgery | Business
Yuya Osako delivered it with a towering second-half header to give Japan a victory that leaves Colombia, who were quarter-finalists in Brazil four years ago, with much to do if they are to progress to the next phase. The tone of a glorious afternoon in Saransk was set in that remarkable opening period.
World Cup group stage - Ivory Coast vs. Japan - Yahoo Sports
Everton avoided a third consecutive Premier League home defeat as Kurt Zouma's header and a late goal by Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned them a flattering 2-0 victory over Bournemouth at a rainy Goodison Park on Sunday.
Soccer-Everton ride luck for 2-0 victory at home to
Emery's side take on Valencia in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night, having lost all three games without Ramsey since he was forced off in Naples.
Emery: No time for sentiment in semi-final | FourFourTwo
Liverpool beat Wolves 2-0 but are pipped to the title by Manchester City by just one point By Gerard Brand at Anfield Last Updated: 12/05/19 6:01pm 2:18 Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp says that this season is the first step for his squad in their journey after they finished second in the Premier League Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp says that this season is the first step for his squad in their journey
Jurgen Klopp: This is just the first step for Liverpool
sportsloveme.com/soccer/jurgen-klopp-this-is-just-the-first-step-for-liverpool/
Jurgen Klopp: This is just the first step for Liverpool 05/12/2019 Football' , Premier , Sky , Sports Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool's record-breaking season is just the "first step" for his team after they were pipped to the Premier League title by Manchester City.
Klopp: Premier League near-miss is only Liverpool's 'first step'
LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea have completed the signing of Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, who will join the club on loan from Juventus until the end of the season, the Premier League club said on Wednesday. Higuain joins Chelsea after his year-long loan spell with AC Milan was cut to less than six months.
Football: Higuain completes Chelsea loan deal from Juventus
LONDON (REUTERS) - Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shot to the top of the Premier League scoring charts with two goals in Saturday's (Dec 22) 3-1 home win over struggling Burnley
Aubameyang brace gives Arsenal win over Burnley - Football
0 comments:
Post a Comment