Pogba leaves a strong impression, Man Utd wins third consecutive match under Solskjaer

Goals: Pogba 5', 33', Rashford 45', Lukaku 72' - Ake 45'+2

Pogba was the star of the show in the final Premier League match of 2018. The French midfielder scored the first two goals and assisted Romelu Lukaku to make it 4-1. In between, Rashford scored. The visitors reduced the score in the first half's injury time thanks to midfielder Nathan Ake.

The third consecutive victory under coach Solskjaer helped Man Utd have 35 points, three points behind Arsenal in fifth place and eight points behind the top 4. Besides the result factor, these are also encouraging performances in terms of spirit as well as restoring the once-famous image of the "Red Devils".

In the first three matches under Solskjaer, Man Utd scored 12 goals. The Norwegian is the second coach after Craig Shakespeare (Leicester) to win his first three matches and score at least three goals in each match. This success was greatly contributed by Paul Pogba, who transformed after Man Utd fired Mourinho.

In 14 Premier League matches under Mourinho this season, Pogba scored only three goals. However, this player scored four goals and had three successful assists in just three matches working with Solskjaer. This is the best achievement of Pogba's career if calculated in a month of playing at the national championship level (Premier League and Serie A).

It took Pogba just five minutes to find the back of the net for Bournemouth with a simple tap-in. Rashford scored the opener, beating three opponents on the right flank before crossing for Pogba. The French midfielder continued his all-round game by doubling the lead, this time jumping high to head in a powerful header from Ander Herrera's cross.

In the second half, Pogba almost completed his hat-trick if goalkeeper Asmir Begovic had not pushed his long-range shot against the post. However, Pogba still left his mark with a classy assist for Lukaku to score immediately after coming off the bench. The Belgian striker's goal secured the victory for Man Utd even when they were down to 10 men in the 79th minute. Center-back Eric Bailly had an unnecessary fierce tackle on Ryan Fraser in midfield and received a straight red card.

Solskjaer's return brings the best of the style of play he instilled under Ferguson: fast, direct and neat finishing. Man Utd's goals are not fussy, from outside the 16m50 box until the opponent's net is just a combination between two players. That is what Man Utd fans have been waiting for since Ferguson retired in 2013.

Unlike Mourinho, Man Utd’s midfielders tend to play freely and attack without focusing too much on keeping their positions on the pitch. Pogba’s regular presence in the box and Ander Herrera’s ability to create assists has helped Man Utd apply more pressure when they have the ball. This makes a big difference because Man Utd did not apply enough pressure despite having the ball in many games.

In addition, the ability to interchange positions of Rashford, Martial and Lingard also created success. Rashford and Martial are the type of strikers who can dribble skillfully and do not simply lurk in the 16m50 box. Both made their mark in this match with classy assists, which could help them keep their starting positions in coach Solskjaer's squad.

As the match ended, the stands at Old Trafford echoed with the song of the record 20-time English championship. The championship was far away this season but the style and the shadow of the time reigning at the top of glory were returning to the "Theatre of Dreams".

Line-up

Man Utd: De Gea, Young, Bailly, Lindelof, Shaw, Ander Herrera (Andreas Pereira 76'), Matic, Pogba, Lingard, Rashford (Lukaku 70'), Martial (Jones 82')

Bournemouth: Begovic, Steve Cook, Ake (Mings 82'), Daniels, Ibe, Brooks (Mousset 66'), Surman, Rico, Stanislas, Wilson (Fraser 66'), King

Bao Lam