Paul Pogba has sealed Manchester United’s progression through to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a stunning free-kick against Brighton.
United struggled in large stages as they won 3-2 in a dramatic encounter four days earlier, but have been in complete control this evening ever since Scott McTominay’s first-half opener.
After Scott McTominay put the visitors in front in their second game of the week against the same opposition, Carabao Cup regular Juan Mata and Paul Pogba added gloss on the win in the second half.
Pogba, perhaps justifiably, received plenty of criticism for his league performance on Saturday but his proficiency on the ball cannot be argued against and this set-piece was delightful.
Watch: Paul Pogba Lovely Free-Kick:
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for his performance, citing Mata as the man who got United playing.
“A great performance by Juan Mata. He was the one who got on the ball and calmed us down,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports post-match, as per BBC Sport.
“He was composed. He more or less creates the first goal himself. I am never surprised when he plays like this.
“He has been around the block and knows football.”
The Norwegian also hinted at a potential change of position for £40 million Van de Beek, who frequently moved out to the left flank.
“He’s got very high footballing intelligence and tactically he’s gone through the Ajax system,” he said, via the Manchester Evening News.
“Dutch football is tactical – he knows football, he’s got his head screwed on.
“He’s a different type of left-sided player compared to Dan James and Marcus Rashford, but coming inside and finding good pockets, why not?”