World News – US – ‘The season starts today’ for Solskjaer as Man Utd get back on track

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said Manchester United’s season « starts today » after Bruno Fernandes and « inspiring » Harry Maguire enjoyed sweet moments of redemption in their 4-1 victory in the team in Newcastle on Saturday

Solskjaer’s side suffered a humiliating 6-1 loss to Tottenham at Old Trafford just before the international break

But they partially remedied that embarrassment with a much-needed second win of the Premier League season

After Luke Shaw’s own home goal put Newcastle ahead, United captain Maguire scored the equalizer just days after being widely criticized for his red card in the loss of the Nations League against Denmark at Wembley

Maguire’s first Premier League goal since February was a cathartic moment after a troubled few months marred by poor performances on the pitch and his trial in Greece

« Harry has scored and set an example He has shown a good character, I am happy for him He has had a few difficult weeks since he last met us, » Solskjaer said

Fernandes also went from zero to hero as the second half midfielder’s penalty was saved by Karl Darlow, before hitting a superb strike to put United the lead in the dying minutes

Aaron Wan-Bissaka scored three goals with his first goal for United and Marcus Rashford completed the late goal blitz in stoppage time

Although United left late to finish Newcastle, the result was no more than they deserved and Solskjaer is hoping it will be the start of a better period for his side after their troubled opening to the campaign

« Excellent result and great character to come back, led by a very inspiring captain, » said Solskjaer

« The boys got on really well They look forward to every game Today I rested a few and they came and did the business for us

« The season started for us today We got to the speed of the game and it showed today »

After calling Tottenham’s rout the « worst » day of his career, Solskjaer made five changes for United’s return to action

Eric Bailly, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial have been replaced by Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, Fred, Daniel James and Juan Mata

Solskjaer’s switches initially did nothing to improve United’s fortunes as Newcastle cut them off in the second minute

Allain Saint-Maximin and Jonjo Shelvey combined to find Emil Krafth on the right side of United’s penalty area and his cross deflected Shaw’s outstretched leg as it passed past David De Gea

While Solskjaer feared it would be another disheartening night, his concerns were allayed as Maguire finally had a moment to savor in the 23rd minute

Timing his run to meet Mata’s corner, Maguire placed himself in front of Jamal Lascelles at the near post and guided his head past Darlow six yards

Saint-Maximin nearly restored Newcastle’s lead with a powerful shot which De Gea deflected while slamming into a post, leaving the United goalkeeper in need of treatment on his shoulder before he could continue

When Rashford was knocked down by Jamal Lewis in the 57th minute, referee Craig Pawson initially appeared to ignore the infraction, but after consulting with the field monitor, he ruled that the foul had occurred at inside the penalty area

Fernandes has been a penalty expert for United since arriving in January, but for once he chomped on his lines as Darlow dove to his right to prevent the midfielder’s kick

Maguire almost made up for Fernandes’ lack when his header was cleared by Shelvey, whose 30-meter explosion drew a nice save from De Gea moments later

But Fernandes still had the last laugh, taking Rashford’s clever reverse pass in the 86th minute and, at a sharp angle, curled an exquisite shot into the top corner

Wan-Bissaka scored in the 90th minute of Rashford’s pass and the supplier emerged as the scorer moments later with a cool finish from Fernandes’ long ball

Manchester United FC, Newcastle United FC, Premier League, Manchester, Harry Maguire, Ole Gunnar Solskjær