United were celebrating New Year early as the Norwegian caretaker manager’s influence saw the Reds add to big wins against Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town to make it 12 goals in his first three Premier League victories in charge.

The Reds' sizzling win was inspired by an impressive goalscoring and creating personal performance from Paul Pogba. He scored twice in the first 45 minutes, to make it four for himself in the Solskjaer era so far, and set up a second-half strike for substitute Romelu Lukaku.

Marcus Rashford also scored but there was a setback for United as Eric Bailly, making his first start for the interim boss, was red carded in the second period.

Solskjaer’s impact had been instant at the beginning of his caretaker reign, against Cardiff pre-Christmas when Marcus Rashford got the Reds off to a rapid start in Wales.

The value of a swift opener had been a rarity for Unted but once again against Bournemouth it was another burst out of the blocks that set Old Trafford alight. Rashford was involved once more, this time with a glorious assist.

The Mancunian is being used more now as a central striker but it was a piece of eye-catching wing trickery that had the crowd on their feet after just five minutes. His lightning footwork bamboozled both Nathan Ake and Diego Rico right under the noses of the Stretford End and Rashford’s cross was seized upon by Paul Pogba as he sprinted in to slide home the first goal.

Old Trafford was rocking to the whole back catalogue of Solskjaer chants as the Reds enjoyed a spell of dominance.

Bournemouth may have been trounced at Wembley on Boxing Day 5-0 by Spurs but they were adventurous and provided a danger on the counter attack. They could have levelled the game in the 26th minute but for yet another brilliant reaction save from David De Gea who managed to block a header from Ake.