This is Ole’s big chance to prove that he can win when stakes are high... and where better than Fortress Anfield?
THE biggest Red Clasico for five years is a massive opportunity for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to prove that Manchester United have learned to win when it matters most.
For the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez were rival managers, tomorrow afternoon’s meeting of Liverpool and United could ultimately determine the destiny of the title.
It’s certainly their biggest game since the Europa League knockout tie in 2016.
But in terms of the Premier League, it’s a long time since there was more riding on a single instalment in English football’s biggest rivalry.
I suspect this one will be decided by defensive strength as much as two world-class attacks.
And it could be the day Solskjaer cracks the big occasion as a manager.
All signs point to United’s revival becoming a sustained trend, not just a flavour of the month.
Since they were humiliated 6-1 at home by Tottenham, they have taken 32 Premier League points – more than any other club.
Captain Harry Maguire, whose early-season form came in for heavy criticism (some of it deserved), has won more aerial duels and made more defensive interceptions than any playerthis term.
Since Eric Bailly returned to provide extra pace as Maguire’s sidekick in central defence, United have won five, drawn one and conceded only three goals in six games.
In the year since he arrived at Old Trafford, Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in 32 goals in 31 top-flight games, establishing him as one of the most influential players in English football.
And since Project Restart on June 17, United have collected 57 points, more than City (56), Liverpool (50) and Tottenham (48). These are not the stats of a purple patch. They tell a longer story: United are back.
I was slaughtered on social media when I predicted they would finish second, before a ball was kicked. Not so many people are laughing now.
If Liverpool had Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez all available at the back,
I might be whistling a different tune.
But this is not just Solskjaer’s big chance to break Liverpool’s 67-game unbeaten Premier League run at Anfield. This is his chance to wound an empire.
After four semi-final defeats, it’s his chance to prove he can win when the stakes are high.
Solskjaer has not beaten Liverpool since he returned to Old Trafford in December 2018.
This weekend would be an ideal time to break his duck.
Which United will turn up? The rabble routed by Spurs in October, the team who came up short of a top-four finish in 2019 by losing to Arsenal, Everton and City on the run-in... or the side who won their top-four shoot-out at Leicester on the last day of term six months ago?
If Solskjaer’s team are going to be genuine title contenders, their time is now.
For three years, Jurgen Klopp went through a similar run with Liverpool.
He lost three major finals in a row – in the Capital One Cup, Europa League and Champions League.
But the fans stayed with him and the board stayed totally supportive. Look at him now.
With Liverpool’s sixth Champions League trophy and first title in 30 years in the bank, his legend on the Kop is secure.
But Klopp will have to put out either a makeshift defence or gamble on inexperience to contain Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fernandes.
Liverpool’s home record is incredible, United’s away form is mightily impressive.
If something has to give, I suspect it might be the Anfield fortress.
And what a title race we’ll have on our hands if that happens.
Klopp might gamble on a makeshift defence to contain Rashford & Co