‘Season starts today’

Source: AFP Published: 2020/10/18 16:58:40

Solskjaer’s Man Utd get back on track


Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes (center) scores against Newcastle United on Saturday in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. Photo: VCG



Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declared Manchester United's season "starts today" after Bruno Fernandes and "inspirational" Harry Maguire enjoyed sweet moments of redemption in their side's 4-1 win at Newcastle on Saturday.

Solskjaer's side suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat against Tottenham at Old Trafford just before the international break.

But they made partial amends for that embarrassment with a much-needed second win of the Premier League season.

After Luke Shaw's own goal gave Newcastle an early lead, United captain Maguire scored the equalizer just days after he was widely criticized for his red card in England's Nations League defeat against Denmark at Wembley.

Maguire's first Premier League goal since February was a cathartic moment after a troubled few months marred by poor performance on the pitch and his Greek court case off it.

Fernandes also went from zero to hero as the midfielder's second-half penalty was saved by Karl Darlow, before he hit a superb strike to put United ahead in the closing minutes.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka made it three with his first goal for United and Marcus Rashford wrapped up the late goal blitz in stoppage time.

Although United left it late to finish off Newcastle, the result was no more than they deserved and Solskjaer will hope it is the start of a better period for his team after their troubled opening to the new campaign.

"The season started for us today. We have come up to the speed of the game and that showed today," Solskjaer said.

Allain Saint-Maximin and Jonjo Shelvey combined to find Emil Krafth on the right side of the United penalty area in the second minute and his cross took a deflection off Shaw's outstretched leg as it looped beyond David de Gea.

If Solskjaer feared it was going to be another dispiriting night, his concerns were eased as Maguire finally enjoyed a moment to savor in the 23rd minute.

Timing his run to meet Mata's corner, Maguire got in front of Jamal Lascelles at the near post and guided his header past Darlow from six yards.

When Rashford was brought down by Jamal Lewis in the 57th minute, referee Craig Pawson initially appeared to ignore the offense but after consulting the pitchside monitor, he ruled that the foul had taken place inside the penalty area.

Fernandes has been a penalty expert for United since arriving in January, but for once he fluffed his lines as Darlow dived to his right to keep out the midfielder's spot kick.

Maguire nearly made up for ­Fernandes' miss when his header was cleared off the line by Shelvey, whose 30-yard blast drew a fine save from De Gea moments later.

But Fernandes had the last laugh anyway as he took Rashford's clever reverse pass in the 86th minute and, from an acute angle, curled an ­exquisite shot into the top corner.

Wan-Bissaka netted in the 90th minute from Rashford's pass and the provider turned scorer moments later with a cool finish from Fernandes' long ball.



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