Solskjaer's Man U downs Huddersfield 3-1 with Pogba double

Posted December 26, 2018 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Manchester United's Paul Pogba, center, celebrates scoring against Huddersfield during the English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday Dec. 26, 2018. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP) The Associated Press

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Paul Pogba scored twice as interim coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer marked his first home match in charge of Manchester United with a 3-1 win over bottom club Huddersfield in the English Premier League on Wednesday.

Solskjaer, whose first match in charge on Saturday was a 5-1 victory at Cardiff, received a warm reception from the crowd as he returned to Old Trafford 11 1/2 years after representing them as a player.

The feelgood factor in the ground was evident from the start, but it was Huddersfield that was on top early on.

Sixth-placed United, though, gradually grew into the game and went in front after 28 minutes. Victor Lindelof's powerful header from a Marcus Rashford corner was cleared off the line by Elias Kachunga, only for the ball to fall kindly for Nemanja Matic to score from close range.

Huddersfield also started the second half in confident mood with Isaac Mbenza having a shot blocked, Elias Kachunga fizzing the ball over the bar, and home goalkeeper David de Gea denying Laurent Depoitre with a superb one-handed stop.

Neat buildup play involving Rashford, Juan Mata, and Ander Herrera ended with Pogba coolly sweeping the ball out of visiting goalkeeper Jonas Lossl's reach.

Pogba, the France World Cup winner who fell out of favor with previous coach Jose Mourinho, was all smiles again after he took aim from distance to send another low effort beyond Lossl.

Mathias Jorgensen replied with a late consolation goal for Huddersfield.

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Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates defeating Huddersfield after the English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday Dec. 26, 2018. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left, during the English Premier League soccer match against Huddersfield at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Wednesday Dec. 26, 2018. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP) The Associated Press

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