Stunned United hope to bounce back at Arsenal
LONDON: Just when Manchester United’s fans were beginning to dream of a first Premier League title since 2013 along came bottom club Sheffield United to offer a reality check.
United’s shock 2-1 home defeat by Chris Wilder’s side not only stopped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team returning to the top of the table, it also snapped a 13-game unbeaten league run.
So Saturday’s trip to a rejuvenated Arsenal has suddenly assumed greater significance, with Manchester City now above their second placed city rivals by a point with a game in hand.
Was the Sheffield debacle a blip or was it evidence that the early-season gremlins that had placed Solskjaer under such pressure in November are still lurking at Old Trafford. Victory at the Gunners, who United lost to at home on November 1 before embarking on 10 wins and three draws, would go a long way to proving that the former is the more likely. “When you get kicked down, it’s how quickly you bounce back and Saturday’s a big one and we’ve got to get three points,” skipper Harry Maguire said after the defeat by Sheffield United. Arsenal will be relishing the visiting of United. Mikel Arteta’s side may still be down in ninth but they are the form team in the division with five wins and a draw from their last six league games.
New Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will have had a few more training sessions under his belt ahead of his side’s Sunday test against a resurgent Burnley side at Stamford Bridge.
After Chelsea were held to a dreary 0-0 draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday in his first game in charge, the German will be keen to see an attacking threat.
Messi leads Barca to win MADRID: Lionel Messi returned from suspension to help guide Barcelona to a 2-1 win away to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.
Barca dominated the match and hit the woodwork three times but second division Rayo took a surprise lead in the 63rd minute when Barca keeper Neto failed to deal with a low cross and midfielder Fran Garcia pounced to bundle the ball over the line.
Ronaldo under scanner
ROME: Police are investigating a potential breach of Italy’s Covid-19 regulations by Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo after he allegedly travelled between the regions of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta.
Valle d’Aosta police confirmed that an investigation is underway into a trip to the Alpine town of Courmayeur by Ronaldo and his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez on Tuesday and Wednesday.