It says everything about Manchester United at present that as he discussed the

search for consistency with journalists in the build-up to his side's trip to
Everton, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to stop and offer clarification:
"Consistently doing well is what I mean, not the other way."

After a week of increasing pressure and mounting uncertainty about his future either
side of an embarrassing defeat at Istanbul Basaksehir, Solskjaer and United have
every reason to be delighted with a 3-1 win at Goodison Park.

It is only the fourth time they have returned from the blue half of Merseyside with
maximum points since 2008. They have lost at Everton five times in that same period,
when the backdrop was substantially more positive than the one that framed Saturday's
game.

Between international breaks, United picked up seven points from four tricky fixtures,
plus two wins from three in a really difficult Champions League group.

Had this return been offered in the wake of that 6-1 horror show against
Tottenham on 4 October, it is fair to assume it would have been accepted.

Yet nothing about a period where United have secured two excellent away wins in the
league - but collected just one point from six at home - and beaten two of last season's
Champions League semi-finalists - while also losing to a side who have never
previously won a game in the competition - will convince anyone Solskjaer has suddenly
found the right blend to turn the club back into a major force.

Back from the brink - again