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Manchester United logo
Premier League | Gameweek 23
Jan 19, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Brighton logo

2-1

Pogba (27' pen.), Rashford (42')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Gross (72')

Solskjaer: Rashford is in the form of his life

Solskjaer: Rashford is in the form of his life
© Reuters
The England striker scored his fifth goal in Manchester United's last six league games.

Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for Marcus Rashford after the 2-1 win over Brighton.

Rashford scored a superb goal to put his side 2-0 up in the Premier League contest at Old Trafford and caused the Seagulls plenty of other problems as United's perfect start under Solskjaer extended to a seventh game in all competitions.

The 21-year-old England international, who expertly turned away from Pascal Gross before curling a fine shot into the top corner, has netted five times in six league matches following the Norwegian's appointment in December.

And when he was asked if he thought Rashford was currently the best centre-forward in the division, Solskjaer said: "You can argue for many strikers but I'm glad he's in my team.

"Harry Kane's injured so maybe that gives him a better chance to be the best one at the moment.

"No-one beats him on work-rate, no-one beats him on attitude and at the moment he's very confident in front of goal. He finishes, he tries to shoot, he doesn't think twice about it.

"He made a chance for Jesse (Lingard) and I cannot believe how Jesse didn't score on that chance at the back post.

"So at the moment I think he's playing the best football in his career."

Rashford's 42nd-minute goal, on his 150th United appearance, came after Paul Pogba had opened the scoring with a penalty he won himself. The midfielder has also scored five times since the Red Devils sacked Jose Mourinho and brought in Solskjaer.

Pogba reprised his stuttering spot-kick run-up and Solskjaer said: "He has scored quite a few goals hasn't he, so if he's comfortable with it, as long as the ball goes in the net...

"I wouldn't have done it that way but the way he strikes the ball is good enough."

After Gross pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute, it was a nervy conclusion for the hosts but they managed to see out the victory as Solskjaer became the first United boss to win his first six league games.

The 45-year-old is the third manager in Premier League history to win their first six matches in charge of a club, after Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola at Chelsea and Manchester City respectively.

"We made it more difficult than it should have been the last 20 minutes, because up until then I thought we played some great stuff at times," said Solskjaer.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left, saw his team extend their winning run (Martin Rickett/PA)

"The players have to be proud of the form and momentum they are building.

"Maybe in 10, 15, 20 years time I'll look back on things like this.

"I don't care whatsoever about records, I'm never bothered about these things. But of course to be part of a team winning so much feels great, and the confidence that grows in that dressing room, I think the team spirit kept them away from losing points today."

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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