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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer proves he has taken another step in completing Manchester United transformation

POOL/AFP via Getty Images
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he enjoying the ride – and whatever the Norwegian goes on to achieve, he’s made Manchester United fun again.

Which makes it all the more cruel that fans remain locked out.

This five-star show would have had Old Trafford rocking. The Fab Three up front would have had bums off seats and heads in the clouds.

This is a club in the ascendancy. And in a week when newly-crowned champions Liverpool were brought crashing down to earth by Manchester City, United provided further evidence of their own mounting threat.

Solskjaer insists they are nowhere near the Premier League’s top two and the table proves as much. But the development of this team is indisputable and if Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola aren’t looking over their shoulders by now, they could be in for a shock next season.

(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

United, of course, still have much to play for this term, with Champions League qualification, the FA Cup and Europa League all on the table - but each passing week is being used as a gauge for the future and a potential title challenge.

A 5-2 win against Bournemouth made it 16 games without defeat.

To put that run into context, in the eight league games leading up to this one they had out-performed both Liverpool and City with 18 points compared to 16 and 15 respectively.

They’ve beaten Guardiola’s side on three occasions already, including a league double, and even at their lowest ebb, were the first team to take points off Liverpool.

Solskjaer issued a message to executive vice chairman Ed Woodward before this game – urging him to make the most of the upcoming transfer window. And this was a performance that suggests it’s now a case of providing the finishing touches to complete what has been a dramatic overhaul.

Solskjaer walked into a fractured Old Trafford with a smile and a vision. Both were tested to the limit, but who now would question his judgement?

No matter what happens from here, he has transformed this club, made them a joy to watch and a prospect to fear for opponents.

If that sounds like hyperbole, wins against Sheffield United, Brighton and now Bournemouth should be compared to anything produced under Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal.

Mourinho’s United may have been effective at their best and still provided the club with its highest finish post Sir Alex Ferguson – second – but they never lifted the soul in the manner of the football produced in recent weeks by Solskjaer.

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The 1999 Treble-winner put his faith in Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood and it has paid off.

All three were on the score sheet.

Martial and Rashford have both reached the 20-goal mark, while Greenwood’s double took him to 15 – and on current form may also go beyond that figure too.

As a trio, they have not yet reached the heights of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, but it is a front three that is still developing an understanding.

Behind them Bruno Fernandes continues to impress with his goal-scoring and creativity, while Paul Pogba has rarely looked so happy in the red of United.

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Solskjaer has the makings of a side, as evidenced in him naming an unchanged XI in three consecutive league games for the first time since November 2006.

For all the positivity surrounding United, David de Gea’s form is increasingly an area of concern.

While Harry Maguire could have done better in the build-up to Bournemouth’s opening goal, the goalkeeper should not be beaten at his near post from a tight angle – even if Junior Stanislas’ strike was whipped in at pace.

Earlier this season that would have been enough to see United heads drop. These days, it just sees them take it up a level. And how they did in a blitz of goals before half time.

Greenwood’s equaliser, when temporarily switching wings with Rashford, saw him lash past Aaron Ramsdale with his right foot.

(REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Adam Smith was then penalised for handling in the area, with Rashford converting from the spot.

The best of the lot came in stoppage with Martial curling into the top corner from 20 yards after patient build up from United.

In the space of 18 minutes Solskjaer’s side had turned the game on its head, effectively wrapped up three points, and pushed themselves ever closer to Champions League qualification.

Even a sloppy start to the second half, which saw Josh King score from the spot after substitute Eric Bailly’s handball, couldn’t stop United’s march.

Greenwood struck again, before Fernandes’ curled a free kick into the top corner.

There were more chances. Rashford finished off a brilliant team move, but was denied by the flag, while substitute Odion Ighalo put wide when one-on-one with Ramsdale.

It would have only embellished what was already another thrilling attacking display and further evidence of their continued rise.

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Greenwood scores twice as rampant Man Utd beat Bournemouth