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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be looking to emulate the great Sir Matt Busby during Manchester United’s clash with Newcastle on Wednesday. Solskjaer has made a dream start to his interim role at Old Trafford, overseeing three victories and 12 goals scored.
The Norwegian’s predecessor Jose Mourinho also won his first three league matches in charge but lost his fourth and only Busby, who chalked up five successive wins, has ever had a better start.
Solskjaer has been aided by the fixture list, with Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth hardly the most formidable opposition, and the same can be said for Newcastle.
Rafael Benitez’s side have only won one of their last seven matches and began the round of fixtures sitting just three points above the relegation zone.
The only real negative so far for Solskjaer has been the failure to keep a clean sheet, with United having conceded 32 goals already this season, the most of the top 11 in the Premier League table and five more than 15th-placed Newcastle.
He said on manutd.com: “We are looking for that clean sheet, we are looking for that foundation to let those front four just go and enjoy themselves because, when you know you are keeping a clean sheet at the back, it is easier to perform and to create chances, nothing is rushed.”
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What is certain is that, while Solskjaer is in the hotseat, United will keep trying to play with the attacking flair that has delighted fans. “You don’t always get the results and points you maybe deserve and it’s about performances and playing the right way,” said the 45-year-old. “As long as you play the right way, if you dominate games, then, more often than not, you’ll get enough points in the end. You can’t control if it goes in off the post or out and things like that.”
