Football: Solskjaer sees Man Utd of old in late win over Wolves

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM (AFP) - Manchester United are recreating the habit of late winners that could lead to an unexpected Premier League title challenge, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Marcus Rashford's deflected strike deep into stoppage time moved United to within two points of Liverpool at the top of the table with a 1-0 win over Wolves on Tuesday (Dec 29).

United laboured for long spells against a youthful Wolves side, but got a huge slice of fortune in the 93rd minute when Rashford's shot hit Romain Saiss to leave Rui Patricio helpless.

Victory takes Solskjaer's men up to second and continues an excellent run of 23 points from the last possible 27 to mount an unlikely title challenge after a slow start to the season.

"It's one of the points we brought up early in the season, that we didn't win many points towards the end of games," he said. "We have a tradition for it at this club. Obviously we've normally got many more supporters helping us to do that.

"Now we've won many more points towards the end of games and that's both a mental aspect and a physical aspect."

Despite enjoying one more day's rest amid the packed festive schedule than their opponents, Solskjaer made six changes from the side that drew 2-2 at Leicester on Boxing Day.

Edinson Cavani made just his second Premier League start, while Paul Pogba returned in midfield, but United were fortunate to get away with a pedestrian performance.

Wolves were in action just 48 hours previously when they held Tottenham 1-1 at Molineux.

Nuno Espirito Santo brought in youngsters Max Kilman, Ki-Jana Hoever, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Vitinha to give the visitors' energy and his plan so nearly earned a valuable point even though they just ran out of gas in the closing stages.

The last clash between the sides at Old Trafford in February was Bruno Fernandes's debut for United.

The Portuguese has had a transformative impact on the United's fortunes, but he could not beat international teammate Patricio with by far the hosts' best chance of the first-half as he snuck in at the back post to meet Mason Greenwood's cross.

On Sunday, Saiss flicked home Pedro Neto's corner late on to earn Wolves a deserved point against Spurs and the same two players nearly combined to open the scoring when Saiss turned Neto's free-kick goalwards forcing David de Gea into a smart save.

Solskjaer lauded Cavani's predatory instincts on the eve of the game, suggesting the Uruguayan will be handed an extension to his contract for next season.

The 33-year-old did find the net with his only chance 20 minutes from time, but was offside as the ball broke his way from a corner.

United posed more attacking threat in the final 15 minutes than they did for the first 75 as Pogba then stung the palms of Patricio from long-range.

Anthony Martial also blazed over from the edge of the box before the breakthrough arrived in stoppage time.

Rashford raced onto Fernandes's hopeful long ball over the top and the England international's shot hit Saiss and flew in at Patricio's near post.

Solskjaer's men host Aston Villa on New Year's Day before travelling to face Liverpool on January 17, in a match which could have huge ramifications on the title race.

"We didn't perform as well as we want to do but we win a game against a very difficult side to play against," he added. "We've struggled against them, this is the first win in the league. We've played them seven times (over the past three seasons) and there has never been many goals in the games.

"This is a big step forward that you don't perform, but you still win."

"We cannot get too far ahead of ourselves," said Solskjaer. "We've got to a decent position at the moment but we are not even halfway, there is a long, long way to go."