LONDON: It’s been a long, expensive and often turbulent journey, but Manchester United are back in a place they used to know so well.

Top of the Premier League.

A 1-0 win at Burnley on Tuesday, secured by a deflected volley from Paul Pogba, lifted United above great rivals 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 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 Fergusons retirement, were unable to do at least this far into a season. United were briefly top in September 2017, while a season-opening win over Leicester City in August 2018 put the 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, were excited, were 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 hosts 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 right back Matt Lowton and ricocheted through the legs of goalkeeper Nick Pope.

Despite continued speculation over his future, Pogba has played an increasingly important role in recent weeks.

“I’m always happy when I win,” said Pogba, who has been consistently linked with a move away from Old Trafford at the end of the season. “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.”

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

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,” added 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 final whistle was met with roars from United players especially from Pogba as it was inside an empty Bramall Lane a few hours earlier after Sheffield United ended the longest winless start to a Premier League season.

DROUGHT OVER

After 18 league games, Sheffield finally have a victory.

A 1-0 victory over 10-man Newcastle United was secured by Billy Sharp’s 73rd-minute penalty and came as a huge relief for Chris Wilder’s side, who are still in last place on just five points and nine points from safety but at least has a glimmer of hope of staying up now.

Last season, the team was challenging for the European positions until late in the campaign.

“It looked like we got our identity back,” said Wilder. “It was us with the handbrake off, going for it and playing well in and out of possession.”

Newcastle’s chances of getting back into the game after conceding the penalty were remote considering the team was down to 10 men at that point following the 45th-minute sending-off of winger Ryan Fraser for two yellow cards.

The Magpies could yet find themselves dragged into a relegation battle as they remain eight points above the drop zone in 15th, but have played two games more than Fulham in 18th.

EVERTON WIN AT WOLVES

The last time Everton visited Wolverhampton Wanderers, they lost 3-0 in July to drop to 11th place in the league and prompt a furious response from manager Carlo Ancelotti, who questioned his players spirit in what he described as an unacceptable display.

Six months later, they returned to Molineux and won 2-1 to climb into fourth place the final Champions League qualification spot and within four points of United.

Ancelotti was forced to start without a recognised striker without Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison only fit enough for a place on the bench.

The Toffees took an early lead when Alex Iwobi converted Lucas Digne’s cross but were pegged back when Ruben Neves levelled for Wolves. Michael Keane’s towering header won the game 13 minutes from time to bolster the Blues’ European ambitions.

“We adapted really well to the characteristics of the players we had,” said Ancelotti.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2021