Marcus Rashford’s double ensured the visitors maintained their perfect away record in the Premier League this season but it came after a horror start and a late scare. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, playing against his former club, gifted the Blades an opener after five minutes when forward Oliver Burke blocked his clearance, allowing David McGoldrick to tap in.

John Fleck missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0, which proved costly as Solskjaer’s side dominated for much of the match against the winless Blades. Rashford equalised after 26 minutes, his powerful strike from Victor Lindelof’s through ball giving Aaron Ramsdale no chance.

Anthony Martial ended his 491-minute goal drought by collecting Paul Pogba’s pass and beating Ramsdale at the second attempt. And Rashford appeared to have made things comfortable nine minutes after the break by shooting under the diving Ramsdale following a swift counter attack.

But there was late concern when McGoldrick headed in from a corner for the hosts with three minutes left, and Henderson then saved Lys Mousset’s shot. “We played some brilliant football between their first goal and their second goal – the end was a bit too uncomfortable for my liking,” Solskjaer said.

“We never make it easy for ourselves. The start was sloppy and slow, and I’m surprised by this because we showed them videos and it happened again. “It was a test for Dean after making a mistake like this, but he passed with flying colours.”

Victory moved Manchester United to within a point of fourth-placed Leicester City, while Chris Wilder’s Blades chalked up an unwanted record of eight successive league defeats, and remained nine points from safety.