Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted by Manchester United’s old-school spirit after digging deep to secure a thrilling comeback win against struggling Southampton.
Old Trafford bore witness to an electrifying encounter on Saturday afternoon, when Andreas Pereira’s stunner and a thumping Romelu Lukaku strike cancelled out an outrageous first-half effort by Yan Valery.
There was still time for more drama, though, as Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse curled home a stunning free-kick.
But this was to be United’s day and Lukaku struck home two minutes from time in a 3-2 win that propels Solskjaer’s side back into the top four.
This was a Premier League record ninth time that United had come from behind to beat Saints and former striker Solskjaer certainly felt like this was a throwback to the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
“The manner of it is like the old days. I’ve been part of that so many times myself,” the caretaker boss said.
“So pleased for the boys that they managed to claw three points out of this game.
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“We spoke about at half-time, just get some more urgency get the ball in the box, play more forward and the Stretford End will suck the ball in for you.
“Don’t want to take much away from Andreas and Romelu’s great finishes but we felt that support is just part of this club, this history, done it so many times before.”
Solskjaer was full of praise for match-winner Lukaku after the game, so too Pereira after opening his Premier League account in style.
Romelu Lukaku scores the winner (Martin Rickett/PA)
“So pleased for him and so happy for him,” the Norwegian said.
“He’s gone through the academy, we know what he’s capable of, he’s got loads of energy, drive.
“We maybe found a better position for him than as a number six, more of an eight or 10.
“He’s got high energy quality in his passing, crossing and shooting, so pleased for him, a goal and an assist, it’s a nice day for him to remember.
“Young kids at the start of their careers when they get criticism there’s nothing better than seeing them grabbing their chance when they get it.”
While he grabbed his chance, Alexis Sanchez certainly did not – and his afternoon came to a premature end.
The United forward was hurt in a challenge early in the second half and was seen limping out of Old Trafford seemingly wearing strapping on his right leg.
“We don’t know yet,” Solskjaer said of the injury. “We haven’t checked it too much, it might be the ligament bad knock on his knee.
Alexis Sanchez limped off against Southampton (Martin Rickett/PA)
“We’ll do a scan tomorrow but we don’t know until we’ve done the scan.”
Sanchez joins a long injury list ahead of Wednesday’s crunch Champions League last-16 second leg at Paris St Germain.
Pogba is unavailable for that match through suspension, so misses the chance to atone for the penalty he saw saved by Angus Gunn in stoppage time.
“I just said to him there, ‘get ready for the next one, because you’re going to take that as well’,” Solskjaer said.
Paul Pogba will continue to be Manchester United’s penalty taker despite missing against Southampton (Martin Rickett/PA)
“I’ve missed penalties, he’s a confident boy, he wants to go and take the next one, you want that character.”
While United remain unbeaten in the league under Solskjaer, Saints are worryingly close to the trap door after an afternoon when several decisions went against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.
“First five minutes we had a bit of luck that we didn’t go back but afterwards we showed that we can also play with the ball and come out of the pressure and press them early,” the Southampton boss said.
“A lot of very good decisions we made in the first half and in the second half we were not scared if they put more pressure on us but we had a few crucial things.
Ralph Hasenhuttl felt luck went against Southampton (Martin Rickett/PA)
“First half there were two situations for a penalty and I think maybe he can give one and then the game is in a completely different way.
“In the second half the goal was offside. Very close but it was and with VAR maybe the result will be a different one.
“You could see after the 2-1 we didn’t stop believing in ourselves and we didn’t stop fighting for everything and working as a very good committed team.
“We came back and then one fantastic player decided this game with his unbelievable power and that’s the end. Very disappointed for us.”
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