Solskjaer: These boys are desperate to get their hands on silverware
OLE’S MEN CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ‘STRANGE’ SEASON
THERE have been times this season when United have been the subject of criticism and ridicule for some of their performances, so for the players to be talking up a title challenge over the past week has felt either brave or foolish.
Given the intensity of some of the brickbats that have come their way – notably after defeats to Spurs, Istanbul Basaksehir and RB Leipzig – you could forgive this squad for simply being grateful to be back in the race for a top-four finish.
When they were 2-0 down at half-time at Southampton three weeks ago, United were 14th in the ‘live’ Premier League table.
After their 6-2 win against Leeds on Sunday they are now third, with a game in hand at Burnley that could take them second.
The idea of United being Liverpool’s closest challengers for the title would have seemed unthinkable at times this season, such as when they were beaten 6-1 by Tottenham at Old Trafford, or were so wretched in the first half at West Ham that they were lucky to be only one goal behind.
That win at the London Stadium was only two weeks ago, but since then there’s been an undercurrent bubbling around United that maybe, just maybe, they could be contenders in a season of unprecedented demands.
And as others have fallen away this week, with Spurs taking one point from three games and Chelsea suffering back- t o - b a c k defeats before beating West Ham on Monday, United have come on strong.
The point at home to City in the derby looks an excellent one since it’s been followed up with wins against Sheffield United and Leeds.
Since that draw at Old Trafford David de Gea, Fred and Nemanja Matic have all publicly stated they think they can win the league. That’s a considerable shift in strategy from what is occurring at Tottenham and Chelsea, two clubs who until this week had looked more credible challengers. While they’ve played down their ambitions, led by Jose Mourinho and Frank Lampard, United have been bold in not shrinking from their own unexpected ambitions. They’ve realised this season is an unexpected opportunity and rather than shy away from it. After the evisceration of Leeds, there may well be more players coming out and fuelling that title talk.
United rode their luck at times defensively, as any side will have to do against Leeds, but they took apart Marcelo Bielsa’s team like no other Premier League side has done this season. Solskjaer said after the win at
This has been a turning point week for United, on that is allowing them to dream
Tyrone Marshall
Bramall Lane on Thursday, a sixth in a row away from home this season, that the form at Old Trafford had to improve to sustain a title challenge. United had won just once at home in the Premier League and hadn’t scored from open play for close to eight hours.
But on an afternoon that would have had a packed Old Trafford swinging from the rafters if crowds were allowed in, they put an end to both of those anomalies, winning at home and scoring freely. They could probably have had 10 given the chances they missed.
The last week has signalled a return to form for the partnership of Marcus Rashford and Anthony
Martial, with both full of confidence against Leeds, while Bruno Fernandes went under the radar despite scoring another two goals and providing an assist.
Paul Pogba, so influential against Sheffield United, wasn’t even needed off the bench against Leeds.
This has been a turning point week for United, one that is allowing them to dream, and they are happy to do that in the public eye. Boxing Day’s trip to Leicester City will be a stern examination of United’s title credentials, but don’t be surprised if this squad talk up the meaning of that festive cracker. They are ready to embrace the pressure.