Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has set yet another record since taking over as Manchester United’s boss, with Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Crystal Palace marking the first time the club has won eight consecutive away matches in all competitions.
The Red Devils were decimated by injuries heading into the clash, with Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and Antonio Valencia all sidelined for what looked like a tricky trip to London.
Marcus Rashford was also a doubt heading into the clash but made the bench after shaking off a knock, with Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez sent out to provide the main goalscoring threat for the travelling side.
Editors' Picks
Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star show Lukaku sends reminder that his Man Utd career is far from over Man City monitoring Barcelona & Chelsea target Jovic
Despite having to deal with an enormous list of injuries, Solskjaer got it right once again, with Lukaku – who had been challenged to step up by his interim gaffer – netting twice before Ashley Young wrapped up proceedings late on.
Lukaku’s first goal marked his first in 10 matches, though seven of the Belgian’s strikes this season have been away from home – only Tottenham’s Harry Kane has more with 10. In addition, it brings the striker’s tally since the start of last season to 38, 15 more than any other player.
The biggest plaudits, however, will no doubt go to Solskjaer, who had already set a new club record after just six matches in charge the club, winning all six of those clashes and becoming the first Man Utd manager to do so.
Solskjaer also put former Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho to shame, having topped the Portuguese’s win record for the whole season after just 13 matches in the dugout.
Whether Solskjaer will be offered the manager’s role on a permanent contract remains to be seen, but calls from outside and inside the club could force the board’s hand.
Upcoming fixtures against Southampton and Arsenal fall either side of a daunting trip to Paris Saint-Germain for the second leg of a Champions League round-of-16 clash in which the Red Devils trail 2-0.
Progression to the next round seems unlikely at this point, but a win over the Gunners could propel United back into the top four and a strong finish to this season’s Premier League campaign will give the higher-ups in the Old Trafford hierarchy some serious food for thought.