Man Utd news: Paul Pogba reveals key to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dream start

PAUL POGBA believes Ole Gunnar Solkjaer's successful start to management at Manchester United is because he "knows the mentality" of the club.

Posted Tuesday, January 15, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk

The Manchester United midfielder had a key role in United's sixth win out of six since the former striker took interim charge of the side after the departure of Jose Mourinho.

It was felt that the Portuguese never really got to grips with the philosophy of the club.

But in 11 successful years serving under Sir Alex Ferguson, there is little anybody can teach Solskjaer about that.

An impressed Pogba said: "As a player he knew the mentality of this club. He has come back to help us and it is going very well. The season is long so let's see how it goes."

The pair have a long history with Pogba joining the United academy in 2009 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was midway through his two-and-a-half year stint as the club's full-time reserve coach.

He was still only 16 when he was first called up to the reserves in December of his first year at the club, and made three more cameo substitute appearances later in the same season after spending most of his time in the under-18 team.

Two more starts the following season took his tally of games to just six before Solskjaer left to join Molde as manager in December 2010.

"It's a pleasure to be reunited with him," Pogba said. "I knew him from the academy and the reserves, when his nickname was 'Super Sub'. He is doing a really good job.

Man Utd news: Paul Pogba reveals key to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dream start
Man Utd news: Paul Pogba has revealed the key to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dream start (Pic: DAILY STAR)

"Before the coach arrived back I was in the shadows, on the bench, and I accepted that. It is a pleasure to play again. That's normal. Now I am always smiling.

"I am playing a bit further forward. I have more security behind me, it gives me the freedom to go forwards to try to get into the box and support the strikers."

Bringing that individual touch seems to be a feature of Solskjaer's managerial style.

And Jesse Lingard has revealed secret finishing sessions between Marcus Rashford and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Dubai contributed to the win over Tottenham.

Solskjaer said afterwards he expected the England international to go for the near post when he netted his winning goal just before half-time at Wembley on Sunday.

But Lingard revealed Rashford had been working closely with Solskjaer during United's recent warm-weather training camp.

"Throughout the training session in Dubai he's been practising his finishing with the manager," Lingard said. "It's prepared him for big games and moments like that."

As well as being able to offer individual advice, the former United striker has impressed his players with his tactical acumen.

Against Spurs he played Rashford and Anthony Martial wide to keep the opposition full-backs in check and allowed Lingard to occupy a more central role.

Man Utd news: Paul Pogba reveals key to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dream start
Man Utd news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won six out of six (Pic: GETTY)

"It was good and I really enjoyed it," Lingard said. "We've been practicing all week in Dubai with the formation.

"Tactically it was great in the first half. It wasn't a holiday over there, it was all work.

"We're very organised under Ole. We want to attack, we want to make those runs forward.

"The midfielders are running forward and we're putting other teams under pressure. It's working and we need to carry it on.

"For us now we've got to keep looking forward. We've got another game against Brighton on Saturday and we need three points. Then we'll see where we are at the end of the season."

United's strikers have the added boost of knowing that with David De Gea in the form he showed against Spurs, just one goal will be enough.

Lingard admitted it was such a psychological boost that he urged his bosses to tie up the Spain international beyond the 18 months of his current contract.

"We want him to stay," Lingard said. "Having a keeper like that gives you extra confidence. He's a great goalkeeper."