Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it was “like the old days” as Manchester United scored a late winner against Southampton to move three points behind third-placed Tottenham.

With United two minutes from missing out on fourth spot, Romelu Lukaku struck with a calm finish to settle a pulsating game at Old Trafford.

Lukaku celebrated by taking off his shirt after sealing a 10th win in 12 Premier League games under interim boss Solskjaer.

“I’m so pleased for the boys that they managed to claw three points out of this game,” said Solskjaer, who famously scored a 93rd-minute winner for United in the 1999 Champions League final.

“The manner of it is like the old days. I have been part of it so many times myself.”

Yan Valery had given struggling Saints a surprise lead with an outstanding finish from around 25 yards before United turned it around with two goals in six second-half minutes.

Andreas Pereira equalised with a spectacular long-range strike before setting up Lukaku to make it 2-1.

Saints fought back to make it 2-2 through James Ward-Prowse’s exquisite free-kick before Lukaku’s dramatic winner.

In an incident-packed match, Paul Pogba missed the chance to make it 4-2 when Angus Gunn saved his late penalty.

When Solskjaer was appointed interim manager in December following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, third place looked a distant dream for United.

Yet since the Norwegian took charge, United have won at least five more Premier League points than any other side.

Having moved ahead of Arsenal in the table with victory over Southampton, United will extend their lead over the Gunners to four points with eight matches remaining if they beat Unai Emery’s side in London on 10 March.

After falling behind to Valery’s sensational strike, United struggled to get into any rhythm before Diogo Dalot’s 52nd minute introduction for Alexis Sanchez, who looks to have suffered a suspected knee injury.

Pereira’s curled finish was of the highest quality and Lukaku showed great composure to make it 2-1 with a low, controlled finish.

Yet United, who had failed to win their previous three home games, looked like they would have to settle for a point after Ward-Prowse’s free-kick made it 2-2.

However, there is a never-say-die spirit about Solskjaer’s United and Lukaku celebrated wildly after hitting the winner – the 113th Premier League goal of his career.

“He is a quality scorer,” added Solskjaer when asked about the Belgium forward’s two-goal contribution.

“We need to have him more in front of the goal. But he has done fantastic in his work rate, attitude, he loves scoring goals, he smiles every day, he does extra shooting in training.”

There was still time for Pogba to miss from the penalty spot after Stuart Armstrong had fouled Marcus Rashford.

But even that failed to dampen the mood of the home fans, many of whom left Old Trafford asking: how long before United’s hierarchy make Solskjaer’s appointment permanent?

Source: BBC