Solskjaer struggles to keep lid on great expectations

MANCHESTER UNITED will focus on replacing Liverpool as Premier League pacesetters after clearing their first hurdle in the FA Cup. Victory over Burnley at Turf Moor tomorrow night would take United above Liverpool into first place ahead of Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash between the bitter rivals at Anfield. The good news for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is that Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof, who all missed a rather scrappy win over Watford through injury, should be fit for that game. ‘I hope so for Liverpool, definitely,’ said Solskjaer. ‘I’m not sure if they’ll make Burnley.’ The return of Lindelof and Shaw would be even more helpful given Eric Bailly went off before half-time against Watford following a collision with keeper Dean Henderson. Bailly will have scans on a neck injury and is unlikely to be available for either league game this week. ‘He’s all right, that’s the main thing,’ said Axel Tuanzebe, Bailly’s centre-back partner on Saturday. ‘He’s a warrior, that’s what he does for us. He gets in the way of things. He should be training next week.’ United have not been top in mid-January since 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson was heading for a well-earned retirement. Solskjaer has tried to manage expectations, but it is getting harder. ‘I think it’s great our fans are excited, and they’re happy with where we’re at,’ said the United boss. ‘Every game against Liverpool matters a lot anyway, but all eyes are on Tuesday and then let’s see where we’re at after that one. ‘We’re not even halfway through the season and every game in the Premier League is a challenge. No one will remember what the league table looked like on January 12.’ A United side showing nine changes were made to work hard by Watford despite scoring early through Scott McTominay (left), who headed in an Alex Telles corner.