Solskjaer, James impressed by Manchester United's vibrant attack
Manchester United beat Brighton and Hove Albion 3-1 on Sunday, though Daniel James and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer think the margin should have been more.
Published : Nov 11, 2019 01:00 IST
Daniel James was impressed with Manchester United's vibrant attack in Sunday's 3-1 win and was adamant it could have scored eight on another day.
United was massively disappointing in the 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth last weekend, struggling to trouble its host's backline.
But it was a completely different story in the Europa League on Thursday as it beat Partizan Belgrade 3-0 and again shone during the visit of Brighton, three days later.
Andreas Pereira's deflected effort and a Davy Propper own goal were decisive early on and, although Lewis Dunk pulled one back, Marcus Rashford sealed the points.
But that was just the tip of the iceberg in terms of United's dominance, as Rashford went on to miss another couple of presentable chances, while James, Anthony Martial, Brandon Williams and Fred all went close in the latter stages.
"The high press paid off, that's what we have been about all season, playing with energy right from the start," he said.
READ: Rashford, Pereira power Manchester United to 3-1 win
"We were a little bit edgy when they scored and it was good to score again on the break, but we could have scored also seven or eight goals."
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose side is seventh in the Premier League table, echoed that sentiment, reserving special praise for Martial and Williams, who was making his first top-flight start.
"We should have scored many more goals," Solskjaer told BBC Sport . "It was an excellent performance from the lads, when you see them going forward it is a joy to watch.
"Anthony Martial did not get a goal, but he was outstanding. Brandon Williams was excellent too, he has had some good games already and he seems he wants to be out there and enjoy himself.
"The table does not really matter at the moment: we need to keep improving and keep winning games and see where it takes us."
Maguire as long-term Man United captain?
Harry Maguire led the team out as captain and put in a generally commanding display at the back, as he continues to look a solid acquisition following his reported £80million switch from Leicester City.
The centre-back was captain in the absence of Ashley Young, though Solskjaer suggested Maguire could potentially get even more familiar with the position in years to come.
"Harry has come in and been excellent in the dressing room and on the pitch," Solskjaer told reporters.
"He can be a long-term captain."
The one dampener on United's win was a late ankle injury suffered by Scott McTominay, as he appeared to roll his foot and was left in agony.
While he was able to hobble off the pitch aided by United's medical staff, after the match he was carried away on a stretcher.
But Solskjaer was unable to offer much of an update on his condition aside from being set for scans on Monday.
"He went over on his ankle," said Solskjaer. "It's a painful one sometimes.
"I've had one, I was out for eight weeks but then again sometimes you have one and you're back in two weeks. I don't know.
"He's in for a scan tomorrow and then we'll have to see, with the ice there. But it looked painful - Scotty's not one for rolling around.
"He didn't really roll around, because that's probably the sign he's injured. All the players that keep rolling aren't injured."