Manchester United’s 4-0 demolition of Chelsea is proof that cavalier attacking football is back at Old Trafford, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United occasionally rode their luck against Frank Lampard‘s side, but eventually ran out comfortable winners thanks to two goals from Marcus Rashford and one each from Anthony Martial and summer signing Dan James.
Solskjaer has made a point of employing a more attacking style after supporter criticism of the football under both Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho and the Norwegian insists he is happy for his team to take risks in the search for goals.
“As we said to the boys before the game, we have found the way we want to play and a way we believe in,” Solskjaer told a news conference at Old Trafford.
“You’ve just got to go out and do the same. We took risks but that’s the way here. You have got to go for it. It’s risk and reward and today we were rewarded.”
United went in at half-time a goal up thanks to Rashford’s 18th-minute penalty, but were fortunate to see both Tammy Abraham and Emerson hit the post when presented with good chances.
Solskjaer admitted his team had been “lucky” to keep their lead before a clinical second half that saw Rashford, Martial and James score three times in 16 minutes.
“You take a win because it’s about points,” said Solskjaer. “The performance in the second half was very pleasing, that was the big plus.
“Coming into half-time we were a bit lucky. They pinned us back and created chances, but we settled a few nerves [in the second half].”
Paul Pogba was key to United’s second-half performance after setting up Rashford’s second and a debut goal for James after a driving run through midfield.
He has been linked with a move away after saying publicly he wants a “new challenge” but Solskjaer insists he could not be happier with the Frenchman.
“He’s a top, top lad and such a pro,” said Solskjaer. “He loves playing football and when he gets onto that pitch he grows more. He’s a World Cup winner, he’s come so far in his career and there’s no point letting yourself down.
“He lost it a couple of times but it doesn’t matter — get on the ball and play.”