Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked delighted as Manchester United’s players eased to a convincing win at home to Sheffield United.
But there was one moment where he visibly looked frustrated, as Marcus Rashford mis-kicked his effort on the counter attack, and a chance went begging.
United were 1-0 up at the time, and could have doubled the lead with just 19 minutes gone.
Instead it took until the 44th minute for United to score a second, and from which we could start to feel more comfortable.
Solskjaer wanted United to be three or four up by this point, and it was not an unreasonable request given how we dominated the game.
Speaking after the match, Solskjaer told the club website he wants to see United be more clinical, and put teams away earlier.
He said: “We played some fantastic football at times. We should have been out of sight earlier.
“That’s the one criticism that I can come with: that we don’t go into half-time with a 100 per cent feeling that this is finished.”
Thumbs up for duo
One of the big positives from the performance was the way Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba worked together.
Supported ably by an excellent Nemanja Matic, United’s two creative dynamos got to work, and started to unpick Sheffield United’s defence.
In 79 minutes on the pitch together, Pogba managed 89 touches and Fernandes 73.
If teams are serious about trying to stop them, they cannot afford them to enjoy so much time on the ball.
Solskjaer said he is excited to work with the two players, who can still get so much better together, with Pogba’s need to improve his match sharpness cited as one factor.
He said: “Paul is still a bit away from his best form which is natural because that’s his first start since September and he’s been working hard, so hopefully there is more to come.
“I thought Bruno showed some quality in the game and it’s exciting to be working with talent like this.”
It is exciting to watch for supporters too, and if this is what the rest of the season is going to be like, then bring it on.
- Man Utd are looking to ensure that 2026’s biggest priority is no longer a transfer problem in 2031
- After Ruben Amorim tried to kill it, Man Utd’s attacking DNA is returning with seven exciting wingers
- Every Man Utd player with a connection to Inter Miami after Casemiro deal
- Man Utd signing Aurelien Tchouameni or Eduardo Camavinga now relies on a Man City decision
- Man Utd’s disregard for loyal fans proves Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs were right
- Manchester United’s blue 26/27 away kit is a good omen for winning European trophies
- Who is Karim Cassim? Man Utd sign JJ Gabriel’s England youth international teammate
- Three players can make their first Man Utd appearance vs Rosenborg, JJ Gabriel leads the way
- Manchester United fans send message to Ineos after £4m Tynan Thompson deal is confirmed
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
