Klopp is charged in ref row
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER knows his future as Manchester United boss will not be decided by their Champions League fate. United are facing a last-16 exit from the competition for the second year running after losing 2-0 at home to Paris SaintGermain in the first leg. Caretaker boss Solskjaer knows how United fare in their quest for a top-four spot and in the FA Cup will determine whether he gets the job permanently. But the broader issue facing United, after Tuesday’s brutal reality check against PSG, who have invested heavily to become Champions League contenders, is how they can haul themselves back among Europe’s elite. United are far from the level that saw them reach three Champions League finals in four years between 2008 and 2011 under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning the first of those.
What defeat to PSG showed is that United are still less than world class in key positions and spending big is the only way to bridge that gap.
Former United boss Jose Mourinho recognised as much, demanding United buy a centre-back for the kind of money Liverpool spent on
Virgil van Dijk – £75million – and Manchester City did on Aymeric Laporte – £57m.
Victor Lindelof may have made great strides, but United need a centre-back of elite stature Champions League quarter-final – lost 4-2 to Bayern Munich Did not qualify Knocked out in Champions League group stage... Europa League last 16 – lost 3-1 to Liverpool Won Europa League final – beat Ajax 2-0 Champions League last 16 – lost 2-1 to Sevilla ARSENE WENGER believes Alexis Sanchez is now surplus to requirements at Manchester United.
The £400,000-a-week striker – who at times carried Arsenal during his time there under Wenger – was poor in United’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Sanchez (left) made himself one of the most fearsome attackers in Europe during his four years in north London. So alongside him, while they also could do with new full-backs on both sides, along with a rightsided midfielder. In short, Mourinho, for all the toxicity, mistrust and regression he brought in his illfated third season, was right to predict that the only way United will get back to the top is by further significant investment. United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward recognises that, but chose not to release funds to Mourinho for a central defender last summer because he did not feel those available represented an upgrade on what they already had.
But now, after a sobering lesson from PSG, a centre-back like Van Dijk (left) or Laporte is a must for United, whoever gets the manager’s job full-time, if they are to be relevant in Europe again. Solskjaer may have raised the levels of much so that the Gunners fought tirelessly to keep him.
Now, though, Wenger believes the Chilean is no longer good enough to hold down a place in the United side ahead of Anthony Martial.
Wenger (right) said:
“He has lost his place. He plays in the same position as Martial. Today, who would say he is indispensable for Manchester United? Nobody.”
Former United defender Phil a core of United players, including Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard, but their collective progress and potential must be complemented by marquee signings who can bridge the gulf in class so apparent on Tuesday.
As for United’s immediate concern, Solskjaer and his players must put behind them the chastening defeat by PSG (above) and focus on Monday’s FA Cup last-16 tie at Chelsea.
Then there is the small matter of arch-rivals Liverpool arriving at Old Trafford on February 24 in a potentially season-defining clash for both clubs in the title race and United’s bid for a top-four spot.
Midfielder Ander Herrera said United must put the PSG defeat out of their minds and not allow it to impact on the rest of their season.
“I don’t is going because of lost,” said
“We’re not lose about think this result to hurt us the way we Herrera. going to time thinking what happened. “Chelsea is a big game for us and the FA Cup is a competition in which we lost the final last year – and deserved to win in my opinion. “We have an opportunity to fight for the FA Cup and keep our position in the top four. Right now we have to think about that.” Neville went further, insisting the Chile star isn’t even a decent option as a substitute. “Sanchez’s form has dipped so much that, at the moment, you look at subs to come on and make an impact, he’s not the one,” said Neville.
“I don’t think he’s gone, I think he might have to re-adapt his game.
“It’s confidence. He needs some love and he’s the one Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to work on.” JURGEN KLOPP has been charged for comments he made about referee Kevin Friend after Liverpool’s disappointing draw with West Ham.
The FA have ruled the Reds boss has a case to answer because they feel he questioned Friend’s integrity.
Klopp said Friend’s performance might have been affected by his realisation at half-time that he should have disallowed Liverpool’s goal for offside in last week’s 1-1 draw.
“I heard our goal was offside, I’m pretty sure the ref knew that,” Klopp told BBC Sport. “In 50-50 situations (after that) it was always a free-kick for the other team.”
The FA said in a statement: “It is alleged that the comments he made questioned the integrity of the match referee and/or implied bias.”
Klopp, who could be fined if found guilty, has until 6pm on Monday to respond to the charge.
The German was fined £8,000 for running onto the pitch to celebrate Divock Origi’s last-gasp winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield in December.
MAN UNITED IN EUROPE POST-FERGIE