Paul Pogba said he is “always happy” when he is winning
after scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Burnley that took Manchester
United top of the Premier League for the first time in three years on Tuesday.
Despite continued speculation over his future, Pogba has
played an increasingly important role in recent weeks to aid United’s first
serious title challenge since legendary former manager Alex Ferguson retired in
2013.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men now lead defending champions
Liverpool by three points ahead of a top-of-the-table clash between the two
most successful sides in English football history at Anfield on Sunday.
“I’m always happy when I win,” said Pogba, who has been
consistently linked with a move away from Old Trafford at the end of the
season.
“I’m happy we are playing well and happy we are at the top,
but there is a long way to go and we have big games coming up.”
United have now taken 29 from the last possible 33 points to
recover from just two wins in their opening six games of the season.
The signing of Bruno Fernandes shortly after Burnley won 2-0
at Old Trafford nearly a year ago in the last meeting between the sides has
transformed United’s fortunes.
And if Pogba can finally produce consistent displays worthy
of the then world-record fee United paid for the Frenchman in 2016, there is a
reason for Solskjaer to believe he can end the club’s eight-year wait for a
league title.
“I’ve always said Paul is a big, big player for us,” added
Solskjaer. “He is a good character in the dressing room, he is always one the
lads look to (because) he’s a world champion.
“We are seeing the best of Paul at the moment. He’s getting
better and better every game.”
The manner of victory against a Burnley side that had not
lost at home since October also suggests United have the ability of champions
to grind out a result when they need to.
The first-half was dominated by controversy over a series of
VAR reviews as both sides escaped without having a man sent-off for challenges
by Luke Shaw and Robbie Brady, while United had a goal harshly ruled out for a
slight push by Harry Maguire when he powered home a header at the back post.
The visitors upped the pressure in the second half and got
their reward 19 minutes from time when Pogba’s volley from Marcus Rashford’s
cross deflected off Matt Lowton and through the legs of Nick Pope to head to
Anfield leading Liverpool.
“We couldn’t be going there at a better time to play them,”
added Solskjaer. “We are in good shape, good form, hungry, these boys want to
get better and that’s a test again.”
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