Grealish big threat to Red Devils
But in-form United are ready for Villa test
MANCHESTER United must be wary of the threat posed by Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish in today’s Premier League clash at Villa Park, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said yesterday.
Grealish, 24, scored a sensational goal in the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in December and British media have strongly linked the English midfielder with a move to Old Trafford.
“I think the last game they caused us some problems, Grealish off the left and Anwar El Ghazi on the right,” Solskjaer said in a virtual news conference ahead of the trip to Villa, who are 18th with 27 points, four from the safety zone.
“Grealish scored a fantastic goal, there’s been loads said about him and we need to be aware of him, if he’s off the left, middle or right, he attracts players to him but there’s not just one player in that Villa team, there are a lot of them.”
United, who are fifth with 55 points, four behind fourth-placed Leicester with a game in hand, are on a 16-game unbeaten run in all competitions and Norwegian Solskjaer has challenged his players to continue improving.
“As a footballer you know you can’t just pick out confidence from the fridge, you have to have it from every day in training and results matter,” he said.
“The last 16 games gives us confidence but nowhere near what a Manchester United team should stride towards. If we focus on the next one and suddenly stood there with 16 that’s what we’ve done and hopefully we can continue.”
The arrival of Bruno Fernandes in January has sparked United’s resurgence and Solskjaer believes there is a lot more to come from the Portuguese playmaker.
“I think it’s gone both ways. Bruno has come into the club, seen how many good players there are and that we’ve helped him show his attributes as well,” the United boss said.
“It’s been a good little relationship blossoming and he can also feel we help him improve. He’s come in and lifted everyone and it’s been a very, very good start so far.”
Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s Steve Cook faces a late fitness test to be ready for today’s Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur while fellow centre-back Chris Mepham has a knee problem that may require surgery, manager Eddie Howe said yesterday.
Cook missed relegationthreatened Bournemouth’s 5-2 defeat by United on Saturday with a hamstring strain while Mepham was left out of the squad due to his injury.
“Steve Cook’s improved. Whether he’s fit enough to play I don’t know at this moment,” Howe told a news conference.
“Chris Mepham has had an injection in his knee, we’re doing everything we can to try and avoid him having an operation.”
Top-scorer Callum Wilson will return to the team having served a two-match ban for collecting 10 yellow cards this season.
Defeat at Old Trafford in their last match left Howe’s side in 19th place with 27 points from 33 games. They are four points off the safety zone.
“I see a lot of hurt in the dressing room, a lot of players who really do care. We’ve got great professionals, I’ve always maintained that. The players are determined to turn it around,” Howe added.
“It’s a difficult moment for us, there’s no denying that. It’s been difficult to take the results personally. Nothing has affected my motivation to turn it around.”
FIXTURES
Today: AFC Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur, Everton v Southampton (both 7pm SA time kick-off); Aston Villa v Manchester United (9.15pm)
Saturday: Norwich City v West Ham United, Watford v Newcastle United
(both 1.30pm); Liverpool v Burnley (4pm); Sheffield United v Chelsea (6.30pm); Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City (9pm)
Sunday: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton (1pm): Aston Villa v Crystal Palace (3.15pm); Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal (5.30pm); AFC Bournemouth v Leicester City (8pm)
| Reuters