Pogba propels United back to its perch

It's been a long, expensive and often turbulent journey, but Manchester United is back in a place it used to know so well－top of the English Premier League.

A 1-0 win at Burnley on Tuesday, secured by a deflected volley from Paul Pogba, lifted United above great rival Liverpool to the summit of England's top division after 17 games, approaching the halfway point of the season.

"We are exactly where we belong," United midfielder Nemanja Matic said.

The great Alex Ferguson was still in charge the last time United led the standings this deep into a league campaign. That was in the 2012-13 season and Ferguson－who once declared that his greatest feat was "knocking Liverpool right off their ******* perch"－would go on to lead United to the title in what proved to be his final season as a manager.

Can Ole Gunnar Solskjaer do the same? The Norwegian said this week that "no one remembers the January league tables", but it didn't stop him having a look of satisfaction at the final whistle.

Quite justifiably, too, given the criticism he has faced in his two years in charge, mostly from those who believe he isn't qualified to be a manager at this level.

Yet he has done something David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, his three predecessors following Ferguson's retirement, were unable to do－at least this far into a season.

United was briefly top in September 2017, while a season-opening win over Leicester in August 2018 put the Old Trafford team in first place for one day in what proved to be a false position.

United moved into a three-point lead over Liverpool that could immediately be wiped out, with Solskjaer's side heading to Anfield on Sunday.

"We're ready, we're excited, we're hungry for it," Solskjaer said, "and it's a test of character and quality again. We're in a good position going into it."

It was a slog against Burnley, as it often is at Turf Moor, with the host defending diligently before being undone by a cruel piece of fortune in the 71st minute.

Pogba met a cross from Marcus Rashford with a first-time volley from the edge of the area that struck the outstretched leg of Burnley rightback Matt Lowton and ricocheted through the legs of Clarets goalkeeper Nick Pope.

The final whistle was met with roars from United players－especially from Pogba. Similar euphoria was audible inside an empty Bramall Lane a few hours earlier after Sheffield United ended the longest winless start to a Premier League season, with a 1-0 victory over free-falling Newcastle.

Despite continued speculation over his future, Pogba has played an increasingly important role in recent weeks to aid United's first serious title challenge since 2013.

"I'm always happy when I win," said Pogba. "I'm happy we are playing well and happy we are at the top, but there is a long way to go and we have big games coming up."

United has now taken 29 from the last possible 33 points to recover from just two wins in its opening six games of the season.

The signing of Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes－shortly after Burnley won 2-0 at Old Trafford nearly a year ago in the previous meeting between the sides－has transformed United's fortunes.

'Best of Paul'

And if Pogba can finally produce consistent displays worthy of the then world-record fee United paid for the Frenchman in 2016, there is reason for Solskjaer to believe he can end the club's eight-year wait for a league title.

"I've always said Paul is a big, big player for us," said Solskjaer. "He is a good character in the dressing room, he is always one the lads look to (because) he's a world champion.

"We are seeing the best of Paul at the moment. He's getting better and better every game."

The manner of victory against a Burnley side that had not lost at home since October also suggests United has the ability to grind out a result when it really needs to.

VAR took center-stage in the first half as a series of reviews saw both sides escape red cards for challenges by Luke Shaw and Robbie Brady. United had a goal harshly ruled out for a slight push by Harry Maguire when the England defender rose to power home a header at the back post.

The visitor upped the pressure in the second half and got its reward through Pogba's winner that sees United head to Anfield leading Liverpool by three points but with an inferior goal difference than Jurgen Klopp's team.

"It's a brilliant position to be in," added Solskjaer. "Of course we know we're going to the champions who have had an unbelievable three-and-a-half seasons, we know it's going to be a difficult game for us, but we are ready for it.

"We couldn't have asked for a better time to play Liverpool because we are in good shape, in good form and are hungry, which is a good thing because these boys want to get better and that's the test of their character and quality."

AP/AFP