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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team has won its first five away games in a league campaign for the first time since 1985-86.
It’s almost getting to the point where Manchester United falling behind on the road will seem like a good thing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the club’s fans.
This season, conceding the first goal has simply meant that Solskjaer’s team will start to play really well, find the tie and then walk away with all three points.
That has happened in their five away games in the Premier League this season.
How do they keep doing it?
According to Solskjaer, an important reason is that his players always believe that they can change things.
Not all fans share that optimism, because with Manchester United losing 1-0 to West Ham on Saturday, #oleout it was trending at halftime before the visitors roared with three goals to win 3-1 and move to fourth place.
But having Bruno Fernandes as a substitute also helps.
United’s latest win means that since Fernandes arrived in February, they have racked up more points (51) than anyone else in the Premier League, including, obviously, reigning champions Liverpool and Tottenham and Chelsea in good shape.
Fernandes burns on the road again Since his debut in February, Bruno Fernandes has directly participated in 36 goals in 38 games in all competitions for Manchester United (22 goals, 14 assists)
Manchester United have often failed in the transfer market in recent years, but Fernandes’ signing in January has made up for many of the dubious purchases that have preceded it.
His impact on the team has been well documented and, left on the bench during the first half against the Hammers, his absence felt like United were tame, disorganized and fortunate not to lag further behind.
Fernandes has been an integral part of United’s changes on the road this season, having scored five goals and assisted four more in his four league games away from home before the trip to London Stadium.
That was the case again against the Hammers when, 20 minutes after entering, he set up Paul Pogba to score the tie.
In his 45-minute performance, the Portugal playmaker created eight chances, more than all other Manchester United players combined (six).
He has also created more opportunities for his teammates this season than any other player in Europe’s five major leagues.
Odds created in Europe’s top five leagues this season PlayerClub Odds created (including assists) Bruno FernandesManchester United35Hakan CalhanogluAC Milan34Thomas MullerBayern Munich31Leo DuboisLyon31Memphis DepayLyon30 Will fights go dry?
United’s ability to come back from lost positions is perhaps both pleasant and troubling to club fans.
As satisfying as the counterattacks may have been, deep down his fans might well be concerned about that ability to bounce back by drying out.
United got off to a slow start against West Ham and struggled for cohesion and Solskjaer must be wondering how to make his team play as well as they do when they are losing early on.
However, the Norwegian has shown his ability to react and correct bad starts. Against West Ham, Manchester United’s three substitutes, Marcus Rashford, Fernandes and Juan Mata, were directly involved in a goal.
Points after falling behind in 2020-21ClubDeficits Wins DrawsLosesPointsMan Utd850315Liverpool43019Chelsea42117Tottenham32016Leicester52036
“Of course he is very, very happy with the way he is on the road,” Solskjaer said. “I think the form at home is decent, we are becoming more consistent and we are dealing better with games like this. When you are 1-0, 2-0 down, the guys still believe and that character is important.”
They have gained more points by losing positions than any other team in the Premier League this season with 15, six more than any other team.
The latest comeback win also means they have earned more points from a losing position than any other team in Premier League history (385). The never-die attitude is nothing new at this club.
‘Man Utd needs to be in charge’
For some, however, being known as the comeback kings is not a title to be proud of.
“We should give Ole credit, what a change, but when you always have to come back something goes wrong,” former Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra told Sky Sports.
“You are Manchester United, you have to be in charge. They will celebrate the result, but not the performance.”
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Source: bbc.com
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