Rashford and Lukaku hails Solskjaer after victory over Newcastle
Manchester United cruised to their fourth consecutive win under their new manager as the Red Devils broke down a resilient Newcastle United to claim all three points with a 2-0 victory on Wednesday night.
United dominated the game but did not hit their strides in the first half and it was the introduction of Romelu Lukaku in the second half that turned things around. Lukaku scored with his first touch of the ball after Marcus Rashford’s free-kick was fumbled by goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Rashford then scored from a classic counter-attack ten minutes from time to cap off a man-of-the-match display, sending Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the history books for equalling Matt Busby’s record of winning his first four games in charge of Manchester United.
United’s matchwinners Rashford and Lukaku hailed the influence of Solskjaer on their improved performances in recent weeks.
“That’s the key, we’ve not had the chance to do proper work on it yet but to have those words around you makes a difference,” Rashford told Sky Sports.
“I want to improve and keep going. I think hard work was definitely the key and patience, of course
“They were difficult to break down. When we could try and counter those were the times when they were a bit open and we had to make the right decisions going forward.
“It took a bit longer than we would have liked to but we got there in the end.”
Lukaku was the beneficiary of Rashford’s deliberate ploy of making the ball bounce in front of Dubravka and is also enjoying life under Solskjaer.
“You have to be ready. That’s what the manager asked of me before the game and I’m just delighted to help the team and that we won again,” he told Sky Sports.
“I know with his shooting technique the goalkeeper might fumble it.
“He did one in the first half and I was already gambling to be there at the right time.”
On Solskjaer’s approach, Lukaku added: “It’s totally different. I think Marcus and I and Anthony [Martial] and all the rest are learning a lot from him, especially on the offensive side.
“He’s just tried to help us and make us better. So far, so good and we need to keep going.”
