Manchester United vs Bournemouth: Pogba Pogba leads side to victory as David Brooks impresses again

Manchester United 4-1 Bournemouth: The home side made it three wins in a row under the new manager

Manchester United continued their resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 4-1 win at Old Trafford, the interim manager’s third consecutive Premier League victory.

Paul Pogba scored his third and fourth goal in three games and played an important part in United’s attacking play as they rampaged their way through Bournemouth’s defence.

Marcus Rashford added a third before Nathan Ake pulled one back for the visitors just before the break, but Romelu Lukaku came off the bench to make it four on his return from personal leave to cap a fine attacking display at Old Trafford.

Eric Bailey’s straight red card for a challenge on Ryan Fraser 10 minutes before the end was the only snag on a good United performance as they continue to chase down the sides ahead of them in the table.

Here’s five things we learned from Old Trafford

1. Pogba continues scoring form

In his 17 league matches this season under Mourinho, Pogba scored three goals. Against Bournemouth he scored his third and fourth during Solskjaer’s three-match tenure.

There is a new feel about Pogba since Mourinho’s departure that has allowed him to get close to his best and begin to look like the player United spent so much money on.

A weight of responsibility has been lifted from him and the licence to go forward as well as being creative from deep has delivered a fruitful return.

2. Manchester United make use of fast starts

Pogba’s early goal was the second times in three games United have struck inside the opening five minutes of a match, a feat they achieved twice in their previous 25 games this season.

Piling on Mourinho aside, this is a sign that United have regained the fear factor that made going to Old Trafford such a difficult place to get a result.

3. Brooks is one to watch

While the United individual performances will deservedly attract a lot of attention, it is worth noting that Bournemouth’s number 20 produced another fine performance against quality opposition.

David Brooks put in another fine performance for Bournemouth (Getty)

David Brooks produced a great moment of individual quality to get the visitors back into the game just before the break. The Welsh midfielder collected the ball from a corner, glanced past a couple of challenges in the area before delivering an accurate cross to Ake for the defender to convert and get Bournemouth into the game.

The talented 21-year-old put in a fine performances at Stamford Bridge as the Cherries went out of the Carabao Cup against Chelsea before scoring twice in their game with Brighton. Under Howe and with Bournemouth’s patience it will be exciting to see what he might be able to achieve if he can continue to improve at this impressive rate.

4. United put pressure on Arsenal and Chelsea

The race for the final place in the top four and entry into the Champions League next year appeared to just be between Arsenal and Chelsea.

Arsenal’s defeat against Liverpool allowed Chelsea to extend their lead over the Gunners to five points, and now Unai Emery’s team might have to turn their attention to the rampant United side below them.

Solskjaer’s third win takes the Old Trafford team three points below Arsenal in fifth and eight below Chelsea. Before the interim manager arrived two weeks ago, a United challenge for top four looked like a distant possibility, but now it seems that they can launch a serious bid.

Manchester United's forwards were in fine form (Getty)

5. Forwards find their form

Lukaku marked his return from personal leave with a goal in his first game under the new manager. He collected Pogba’s pass to finish beyond Asmir Begovic and score United’s fourth of the game.

Martial’s return to what seemed full fitness after he missed the Boxing Day win against Huddersfield also showed that United have some serious quality in attacking areas.

Of course, these players have largely been available throughout the season, but the refreshed nature of Martial in particular means that we may finally see him continue his development towards the player that United and Louis van Gaal believed he could be when they signed him in 2015.

Rashford, who produced a sublime bit of skill before crossing the ball to Pogba to score the opening goal, was withdrawn in the second half to receive treatment on a knock and Jesse Lingard appeared to be injured at the end of the game, although it looked to be less serious.

These blemishes aside, United’s forwards finally played with the confidence and excitement that they have shown glimpses of in the past, whether it is at United or for their countries.