Manchester United 5-1 Cardiff City: 5 Ways Solskjaer masterminded the win

#2 Relentless desire for goals

Cardiff City v Manchester United - Premier League

This season, United had scored more than 3 goals just once in the previous 17 games under Mourinho and there was a good reason for that. The Portuguese had always been results oriented, preferring to grind out 1-0 instead of going for the kill. One of the major changes seen under Solskjaer in his very first game was that United were not content even after scoring 4, as they raged on to try and get the 5th goal.

The intentions were clear early when Rashford sent a venomous free-kick into the net in the 3rd minute. From then on United kept pressing, kept trying, knocking on Cardiff’s goal and they were rewarded when Herrera scored in the 29th minute. When Martial made it 3-1 four minutes before halftime, one would have thought that United and Solskjaer would be content.

Yet, Manchester United came back from the blocks faster, stronger and hungrier and went on to increase their lead through Lingard. It was this display of insatiable hunger, this desire to score which came as a welcome surprise to the fans. This was what earned United 3 valuable points in a tricky tie and it was all due to a change in attitude enforced by Solskjaer.