Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has set yet another record since taking over as Manchester United's boss, with Wednesday's 3-1 win at Crystal Palace marking the first time the club has won eight consecutive away matches in all competitions. The Norwegian guided his side to yet another history-making victory, further strengthening his position as a front-runner for a full-time position.
The Red Devils were decimated by injuries heading into the clash, with Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and Antonio Valencia all sidelined for what looked like a tricky trip to London. Marcus Rashford was also a doubt heading into the clash but made the bench after shaking off a knock, with Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez sent out to provide the main goalscoring threat for the travelling side.
Despite having to deal with an enormous list of injuries, Solskjaer got it right once again, with Lukaku – who had been challenged to step up by his interim gaffer – netting twice before Ashley Young wrapped up proceedings late on. Lukaku's first goal marked his first in 10 matches, though seven of the Belgian's strikes this season have been away from home – only Tottenham's Harry Kane has more with 10.
In addition, it brings the striker's tally since the start of last season to 38, 15 more than any other player. The biggest plaudits, however, will no doubt go to Solskjaer, who had already set a new club record after just six matches in charge the club, winning all six of those clashes and becoming the first Man Utd manager to do so.
Solskjaer also put former Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho to shame, having topped the Portuguese's win record for the whole season after just 13 matches in the dugout. Whether Solskjaer will be offered the manager's role on a permanent contract remains to be seen, but calls from outside and inside the club could force the board's hand.
After the game Solskjaer reserve special praise for Red Devils' striker Lukaku for "taking his chance" as the Manchester United did not let an injury crisis affect them. The Belgian scored a brace in the absence of Marcus Rashford, who has been preferred by Solskjaer as the sole target man, since replacing Jose Mourinho in December.
"Lukaku had two good goals and his link-up play was very good too. He is working hard in training and has been playing well. He's had to play wide for me and had many defensive duties so I'm happy for him playing as a No. 9," Solskjaer said to BBC, as quoted by ESPN. "It's always good to see players taking their chance. That's what it's about at this club, when you get your chance, grab it."
The 25-year-old has now scored 11 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions, a number he will definitely look to increase as the season progresses. It will be interesting to see whether he gets a continued run of games following his performance against Palace, or whether Solskjaer opts to stick with Rashford in the central role as we head towards the business end of the season. Upcoming fixtures against Southampton and Arsenal fall either side of a daunting trip to Paris Saint-Germain for the second leg of a Champions League round-of-16 clash in which the Red Devils trail 2-0.
Most accurate football prediction website in Nigeria...
