FULHAM ON UNITED’S MENU
London, Feb. 8: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s remarkable start as Manchester United manager has lifted his team back into contention to qualify for next season's Champions League.
United, who have won seven out of eight Premier League games since the Norwegian replaced the sacked Jose Mourinho in December, head to struggling Fulham on Saturday knowing a win would lift them into the top four, at least temporarily.
Chelsea are only two points ahead of fifthplaced United and face a difficult assignment at Manchester City the following day.
“It will be a big mistake if we think further than Fulham. That’s a massive game for us because Chelsea are playing ( Manchester) City. Let’s go game by game, because if you lose one game you regret,” United midfielder Ander Herrera said.
Reds under pressure After two successive damaging draws, Liverpool now have no margin for error when they take on Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday.
When Liverpool took the lead just minutes into their clash against Leicester last week, the Kop broke into songs of praise for their former manager Rafael Benitez.
Jubilant that Benitez had masterminded Newcastle’s win over Manchester City the previous evening, Liverpool fans were anticipating another victory on the road to their first English title since 1990.
But out of nowhere, the joyous celebrations were muted by a sudden outbreak of nervous tension as Leicester hit back to earn a point — an anticlimactic result that was followed by another uninspired Liverpool display in Monday’s draw at West Ham.
However, Reds defender Andrew Robertson says the frustrating period is just a “blip” that can be cured by a positive result against Bournemouth on Saturday.
“I wouldn’t say nerves are showing. People talk about pressure because we’ve not been in this position, but it’s February. Everyone needs to relax and try and enjoy the run- in,” he said.
Liverpool manager Klopp insists the Premier League title race is something to get excited about rather than stressed about despite seeing his side overhauled by Manchester City in the past week. City climbed to the top of the table on goal difference with victory against Everton in midweek but Liverpool’s destiny remains in their own hands as they have a game in hand over Pep Guardiola’s men, with both sides level on 62 points.
“It’s getting exciting now,” said Klopp on Friday. “There was never a doubt that would happen. That was always clear. I don’t think that anybody thought we would be top of the league with 12 points between us and another team with three games to go.
“The only chance to improve our position, even though it is a good position, is by winning football games.”
Just over a week ago Liverpool had the chance to move seven points clear at the top.