United is improving all the time, says Solskjaer

The victory over the holder completed United’s first home and away Premier League double over City in a decade, moving Solskjaer’s side up to fifth and extending its unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 games. Away from the numbers, there were some excellent individual displays, with Solskjaer’s signings Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Daniel James and Bruno Fernandes all influential on the outcome.

The Norwegian is not a man to engage in ‘told you so’ rants but, after beating arch-rival City, he would have been justified in replying to those who wrote him off as a manager just a couple of months ago. A display that was tactically smart and highly organised shows the direction of travel at United. And, while it may be too soon to talk of more than foundation for the future, the right things are beginning to be put in place.

“We feel we are improving all the time. We know we lack one, two or three players and some experience to be considered a title contender. We know that. We are just going to start talking about going up the table, getting more points,” said Solskjaer.

“Chelsea and Leicester are too far ahead for my liking,” he added of the fourth and third-placed teams, who are three and five points respectively in front of United (45 points), as they battle for the top four and Champions League qualifying spots. One statistic shows a solid bedrock for the future — last Sunday was the eighth time in the 10 unbeaten games in which United kept a clean sheet.

“Eight in 10 and the two goals we conceded, one shouldn’t have been given,” Solskjaer said with a grin before explaining what has gone right at the back. “We have quality players. Harry (Maguire), Victor (Lindelof) and David (De Gea) have been excellent,” he said “Luke Shaw has been absolutely top class. You saw Aaron’s performance (Wan-Bissaka) and Brandon (Williams) is not fazed by anything.”

Solskjaer was credited a year ago with bringing the ‘feel-good factor’ back to the club but that vibe appeared to have faded earlier this season. Last Sunday, though, alongside the signs of progress there was a real sense of togetherness at Old Trafford.