Manchester United put on a dominant display to spoil to Jose Mourinho’s return to Old Trafford on Wednesday, as a brace from striker Marcus Rashford sealed an exhilarating 2-1 win over Tottenham.
The win not only took Solskjaer’s men into the top six, but it also maintained the Norwegian’s unbeaten record against the top six clubs of the Premier League.
Ole has beaten Poch, Emery, Sarri, Tuchel, Lampard[x2], Rodgers, Mourinho, and Klopp hasn't managed to beat him 2 times trying
— UTFR 🇾🇪 (@ManUtd_HQ) December 4, 2019
Not bad for a "PE Teacher" 🇾🇪 pic.twitter.com/Fbqp0aaNTl
Rashford, who has scored eight goals in as many matches this season, now has scored in six of his 10 appearances at Old Trafford this season, netting seven goals. His record under Solskjaer in fact, is way better than his figures under Mourinho.
- Rashford goals (in the Premier League) under Mourinho: 15 in 81 games
- Rashford goals (in the Premier League) under Solskjaer: 16 in 34 games
Jose Mourinho made sure he shook every players hands after the final whistle. Class 👏 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/74nmUPSW49
— UnitedReds (@UnitedRedscom) December 4, 2019
As for Tottenham, midfielder Dele Alli hogged the limelight, having scored in three consecutive matches under Mourinho in all competitions. A defeat, however, means the Lilywhites have lost more Premier League matches against Manchester United than any other team (35).
Read | Why Manchester United fans should be patient with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
What underlined United’s supremacy on the night though is the fact that they were without their first-choice striker, Anthony Martial and midfielder Paul Pogba. In turn, Solskjaer decided to give youngster Mason Greenwood a go and although the forward didn’t have the kind of impact his manager was hoping for, he did put on a decent show at home, coming close to scoring in the first half.
Twitter, on the other hand, was left baffled by the performance and seemed in absolute disbelief as United got the better of a side which scored 10 goals in Mourinho’s first three games in charge.
Mourinho actually lost to Ole ffs, can’t believe it
— Tom (@CynicalLive) December 4, 2019
Honestly, how have we won against Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford without Pogba and Martial? 😭
— 🐐™ (@TheFergusonCode) December 4, 2019
Thoughts and prayers with the weird Mourinho fanboys at the difficult & unfathomable time.
— Schadenfreude (@RickIndeed) December 4, 2019
Played of the park by the Norwegian PE Teacher
We held Liverpool.
— Oloye Akin Alabi (@akinalabi) December 5, 2019
We beat Mourinho.
SMH.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has outwitted Jurgen Klopp, Frank Lampard (twice), Brendan Rodgers and now Jose Mourinho. But the trigger happy social media warriors want you to think the man’s a dunce. LOfreakingL
— Anna Maria (@AnnaMariaMUFC) December 4, 2019
Mourinho’s struggles at Old Trafford continue.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 4, 2019
Meanwhile, there was high praise for Fred as well. The midfielder, who has been a constant fixture for Solskjaer this season, came under heavy scrutiny for his lenient approach, but the way he outwitted Tottenham’s attack on the night was duly applauded by the fans.
They said Rashford wasn’t good enough. They said McTominay couldn’t run a midfield. They said Fred couldn’t improve. They said James would never get a kick. They said Greenwood would never get the opportunity. They say Ole isn’t good enough. All you need is a bit of patience ❤️
— Anna Maria (@AnnaMariaMUFC) December 4, 2019
It was one of those rare games where you can understand how #MUFC wrote a £50 million cheque for Fred. There’s talent there.
— Sam Pilger (@sampilger) December 4, 2019
Fred is such a talented player just needs to be more consistent, with McTominay along side him and Pogba to come back hopefully he can continue the form. #mufc pic.twitter.com/XVRcSFV8MC
— Simply Utd (@SimplyUtd) December 4, 2019
Fred been outstanding tonight he been everywhere #mufc
— Emma Edgar 👹 (@xemmax88) December 4, 2019
Massive, massive win for United. Incredible noise at Old Trafford at the final whistle. Thoroughly deserved three points, Rashford & Fred - excellent. #mufc
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) December 4, 2019
Final thought:
— 🔴 MUFC TALK ⚫️ (@mufc_views) December 4, 2019
Fred is the most improved player this season. He has gone from zero to hero in a short space of time!
So happy for him!
Read | Mourinho reveals why he stayed at hotel during Manchester United stint
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Oli Scarff
