Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hailed Paul Pogba's continual improvement after he scored twice in Manchester United's 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town at Old Trafford.
Manchester United dominated possession from the first minute and their high pressing and movement were creating problems for a resilient Huddersfield defence. However, the away side received the first big opportunity to score. A long throw into the Manchester United box resulted in some confusion and the ball fell invitingly on to Terence Kongolo’s feet. But the Terriers defender blasted over the crossbar from six yards out.
Solskjaer’s team continued to dominate the game and almost laid siege to the Huddersfield defence for a considerable period of time. But the goal finally came from a set-piece for Manchester United. Victor Lindelof’s header was cleared off the line but the ball landed at Nemanja Matic’s feet, who tapped in from yard to open the scoring midway through the first half.
Manchester United wasted a golden opportunity to score when Diogo Dalot failed to hit the target after Marcus Rashford put in an inviting cross from the left flank in the 39th minute.
Huddersfield almost scored against the run of play towards the end of the half. Philip Billing decided to shoot from an awkward angle when he could have easily laid the ball to Laurent Depoitre, who was free two yards from the goal.
The away side showed more verve in attack but were still struggling to open up Manchester United. However, Depoitre came close to scoring the equaliser for the Terriers. A set-piece found the striker free inside the box and he managed to hit the target with a glanced effort but the ball was just tipped over by David de Gea.
And just later Pogba finished off an excellent Manchester United move involving Rashford, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera to double their lead in the 64th minute.
The Frenchman sealed the three points for Manchester United 12 minutes from time when he nonchalantly found the bottom right-hand corner of the Huddersfield goal in the 78th minute.
Huddersfield’s Mathias Jorgensen scored a consolation goal in the 88th minute to deny a clean sheet to the Manchester United defence and De Gea.
But it finished 3-1 and Solskjaer was pleased with what he saw frok Pogba, telling MUTV: "It was great to see him score two goals and he has created the goals last week at Cardiff, and now he scores them himself.
"So he will be even better for getting two lots of 90 minutes now and he will be fitter and fitter and improving with the team."
Solskjaer acknowledged his side looked jaded at the end and is now focused on recovery.
"We looked tired towards the end and now it is important over the next two or three days that we recover and get ready for Bournemouth", he added.
