Solskjaer insists ‘those two extra points are vital’ after win over Fulham

Paul Pogba scored a sensational winner to send Manchester United to the top of the table, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said those two extra points could make all the difference at the end of the season.

Pogba’s goal in the 65th minute turned a draw into a win at Craven Cottage, after Edinson Cavani tied for United. They secured the victory despite Solskjaer revealing that his team had to stay at their hotel all day without being able to find a field to organize a training session.

Covid restrictions prevented them from preparing, but Pogba’s attack secured their points. “I love winning,” said Pogba, whose agent Mino Raiola said last month that the midfielder wants to leave. ‘It’s about winning. I am happy when we win on the field and angry when we lose.

“We did not know about the result of Manchester City (which sent City to the top before United started). We knew we had to get our result. We have to do it and that’s it. ‘

Solskjaer added: ‘We stayed in a hotel all day. We were looking for a court to do a workout this morning to refresh our head and legs. We couldn’t find anywhere. ‘

Scott Parker’s Fulham had never lost a game in which they had taken the lead. They had previously been ahead by 40 games, winning 34 and drawing the other four. But they lost that record here.

Solskjaer added: ‘It was a great goal. When you win tight matches, those two extra points for a win instead of a draw are vital. Let’s see where we are at the end.

‘We don’t think about (being the best). It’s just a job done and with the next one. ‘

Edinson Cavani replaced Marcus Rashford very well, who was rested. The 33-year-old leveled against Pogba’s left-handed goal. “I hit the ball well,” Pogba said. ‘I did not expect it with the left foot like that, but if you don’t try, you don’t score. It was a beautiful goal and a beautiful victory.

“I was really angry after the Liverpool game for not scoring the opportunity. Maybe he should have done better, but he came in today. The most important thing was today’s victory. We did it the hard way and we did it the beautiful way. ‘

Fulham boss Parker said: “In the end we fell short, but overall I thought we were excellent. Big chances are the good margins in this league.

“I’m disappointed and I guess it shows how far we’ve come. It’s something to keep working on. We seem stronger as a team.

“The tie came out of nowhere and someone like Paul Pogba has that kind of quality.

“We can certainly win and operate in this division and we just have to keep going and keep improving.”