Ole’s looking to make statement
GOOD RUN WILL HELP SOLSKJAER’S CAUSE Big guns Lukaku, Sanchez ready to face visitors Reading.
It’s FA Cup time again, and third-round action swung into action last night. English Premier League and Championship clubs join the lower league survivors over four days of action, starting with Tranmere Rovers against Tottenham Hotspur last night.
For some clubs, however, the FA Cup already looks like not only their only chance of silverware but their only real focus to a drifting season.
Everton, who ended a 14-year barren spell by winning the Cup in 1984, are secure in the upper-mid table and look destined to stay there, neither pushing the top six but equally in no danger of relegation.
A good Cup run could really lift the mood around Goodison Park – something that may yet be desperately needed should Liverpool go on to win the Premier League – but it would still be a surprise if coach Marco Silva put out his strongest side against League Two leaders Lincoln City.
Minor League Woking pulled off one of the all-time shocks by beating West Bromwich Albion 4-2 away in 1991 when their hat-trick hero Tim Buzaglo was famously carried off the pitch shoulder high – by the Albion fans, no less. Would it feel the same if they beat a predominantly reserve Watford team this week?
Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not yet spoken to Manchester United bosses about extending his stay at Old Trafford beyond the end of the season despite a perfect start to his reign.
The Norwegian has won his first four Premier League matches as United manager – a record that only former boss Sir Matt Busby matched.
He made clear after the victory at Newcastle this week that he would love to stay in the job beyond the summer, when his loan from Norwegian club Molde is set to expire, but said yesterday that he had not spoken to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
“It’s early days,” said Solskjaer. “When I came in they were open and honest. They have a process to look for the next manager but the more you’re here the more you enjoy it.”
Solskjaer is focusing on FA Cup progress against Reading, who are second from bottom of the Championship.
The Norwegian won the trophy in 1999 and 2004 as a player with United, and is keen to succeed in the competition as a manager.
Paul Pogba is likely to miss the third-round home tie today with a minor injury.
The midfielder suffered a knock during Wednesday’s 2-0 Premier League win at Newcastle, having been on the receiving end of a robust challenge by Jonjo Shelvey.
Romelu Lukaku, a scoring substitute in United’s past two matches, will be given his first start since Solskjaer arrived and Alexis Sanchez makes his first start since November 7. –