Where once there was a steady, lateral line along the top, United's fortunes have been marked by wild fluctuations in recent years; steep rises and sharp falls denoting the symptom of an erratic beat from within.
Solskjaer insisted back then that his players would need time to get going and he's since been proven right.
"It's been a really hard few years and there's been times when Manchester United have looked a million miles away from the top of the league so to be top and three points clear of a really good Liverpool side in January isn't something that was expected".
The visitors upped the pressure in the second-half and got their reward 19 minutes from time when Pogba's volley from Marcus Rashford's cross deflected off Matt Lowton and through the legs of Nick Pope to head to Anfield leading Liverpool.
"It was a hard-fought three points though, it always is up here".
Speaking of United's upcoming game at Liverpool, Solskjaer said: 'What a brilliant position to be in. "He is a good character in the dressing room, he is always one the lads look to (because) he's a world champion".
"I think we couldn't have asked for a better time to play them, because we're in good shape, in good form, we're hungry - that's the big thing, these boys are hungry".
Newcastle's chances of getting back into the game after conceding the penalty were remote considering the team was down to 10 men at that point following the 45th-minute sending-off of winger Ryan Fraser for two yellow cards.
"Yet, now, they find themselves with something building, the spirit is growing as you could see with the way they celebrated with each other, there's a resilience built off some performances which haven't been great all the time away from home but they have won when they haven't been at their best".
The Frenchman scored the victor as United beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor, with an excellent volley to break the deadlock.
Carlo Ancelotti was forced to start without a recognised striker without Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison only fit enough for a place on the bench.
United are now top of the table after 17 games; three points clear of Liverpool.
"We knew if we won tonight we would be top of the league when we play Liverpool".
Manchester City could move to within a point of their cross-city rivals if they win both of their games in hand.
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