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Men's Football Seven on the trot as Brighton become the latest side to lose to Ole's United

ALEX FERGUSON sat smiling in the director’s box as he watched interim Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set a new club record of winning his first seven games in all competitions.

Having struggled with form under their previous boss Jose Mourinho, United are now serious contenders for a top-four finish under Solskjaer having climbed to sixth in the Premier League, just three points behind Chelsea in fourth, following a 2-1 home win over Brighton.

Paul Pogba continued his recent good form by putting the home side in front after winning and then converting a penalty in the 27th minute.

Marcus Rashford celebrated his 150th appearance for the Red Devils by doubling his side’s lead just before the break with a marvellous solo effort before Pascal Gross halved the deficit for the visitors with just over 20 minutes remaining.

After the game Solskjaer was quick to praise Rashford following his good run of form which has seen him net five goals in his last seven games since the managerial change.

He said: “You can argue for many strikers but I am glad he is in my team. [Harry] Kane is injured so maybe that gives him a better chance to be the best one at the moment.

“No-one beats him on work-rate. No-one beats him on attitude. At the moment he is very confident in front of goal. He finishes. He tries to shoot. He doesn’t think twice about it.”

But despite the good run of form since taking over the Old Trafford hot seat a month ago, Solskjaer is demanding more from his players — in the same way Ferguson used to challenge his players during his trophy-laden 26-year tenure as United manager.

The Norwegian said: “The gaffer used to challenge us at times with: ‘Why can’t you win 10 games on the bounce?’

“As long as you take one game at a time and prepare well we should go into any game as winnable one.

“We have had some tough years at the club, we’re fifth at the moment, but it’s a challenge for us to get to where we, as a club, should be.”

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