How the tide has turned at Manchester United since Jose Mourinho was sacked by the Old Trafford club. Three wins on the bounce has triggered an avalanche of positivity around the Theatre of Dreams as interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has binned the negative playing style of Mourinho and ignited an attacking style that has seen United scored 12 goals en route to nine points out of nine over the Christmas period.
Solskjaer's reign couldn't have started any better with the former striker breathing oodles of excitement into a club that had become stale and toxic. Yes, the three wins came against Cardiff City (5-1), Huddersfield Town (3-1) and Bournemouth (4-1), so they are matches United should be winning comfortably, but it's the manner in which United have become an attacking force again that will excite the passionate fans in the Stretford End.
Paul Pogba has been inspirational during an upturn in fortunes for United with the French World Cup winner becoming a goal machine under Solskjaer (4 goals in 2 matches), while Marcus Rashford has blossomed in a central striking role and looks to have leapfrogged the struggling Romelu Lukaku as United's attacking talisman.
Anthony Martial, who has been United's premier player this season, is also one to excel under Solskjaer's stewardship, as the Norwegian was brought up at United under a Sir Alex Ferguson side that created from the flanks, so Martial is set to continue to sparkle in the second half of the season and become an integral player in trying to get United back into the reckoning for a Champions League spot.
However, while that aforementioned triumvirate of Pogba, Rashford and Martial is the future of United, one man that has been forgotten in recent weeks is Alexis Sanchez, who could be the man to propel United into the top-four, as he is a player that could relish playing under Solskjaer.
Solskjaer has announced that the Chilean attacking star is set to feature in United's trip to Newcastle United on Wednesday evening after being out for a month with a hamstring injury, and Sanchez's attacking talents could blend well with Solskjaer's willingness to attack, and the former Arsenal man can be the player that really excels under the new boss.
Solskjaer has already spoken highly of Sanchez, saying, "He wants to play all the time. He is one of those characters. He made himself available [for Bournemouth] but it was a few days too early for him because he has not really had enough fitness work but he is chomping at the bit."
So, that positivity from Solskjaer is sure to encourage Sanchez to perform at his best once again after a dour time under Mourinho, and if Sanchez can recapture the form that saw him become one of the hottest properties in the Premier League while at Arsenal, then United could have a front-four that is as good as any in the top-flight of English football, and Sanchez can help United end the season in sensational fashion and they can soar to a top-four spot.
