Manchester United’s narrow 1-0 victory at Leicester on Sunday means they now have 22 points from a possible 24 since the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has overseen a dramatic upturn in fortune since his appointment as interim boss, with the Red Devils now just two points off the top four.
United fans would’ve scarcely believed Champions League qualification was possible towards the end of Mourinho’s tenure, with 11 points separating them from fourth place.
However, their drastic improvement since parting with the Portuguese manager is not uncommon.
In the 2015/16 season, Chelsea averaged 0.94 points per game before the mid-December sacking of Mourinho, and 1.59 afterwards.
Similarly, United could only manage 1.53 points per game under the ‘Special One’ this season, while Solskjaer has averaged 2.75 points per game since his dismissal in mid-December.
One of United’s most resurgent stars, Paul Pogba, reportedly fell out with Mourinho in the build up to the manager’s sacking.
He was benched for Mourinho’s final game in charge, but since Solskjaer’s arrival, the French midfielder has scored six goals and registered five assists in just eight Premier League matches.
And Pogba’s brother, Mathias, admits the World Cup winner did consider leaving the club due to Mourinho.
“Did Paul think about leaving because of Mourinho? Of course. It comes to mind,” he is quoted saying.
“But today he is where he is.
“He was under contract so he had to grit his teeth and keep working.”
He added: “As Solskjaer had Paul with the reserve team, he knows exactly what to say and how to say it to Paul.
“And when you give my little brother that responsibility, you will only see the best of him.”