Red Devils face Spurs challenge
It will be Manchester United’s first real test under the guidance of new manager Solskjaer
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer knows his first true test as Manchester United interim manager comes this weekend.
United have had a reawakening under Solskjaer, winning all five games since he replaced the fired Jose Mourinho.
But the run has come against four teams in the lower half of the Premier League, along with a Championship side in the FA Cup.
United now face third-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, a game Solskjaer feels will be a better gauge to where his side stand.
“Spurs away at Wembley – that’s a proper test,” the Norwegian said.
“We are looking forward to that one because that’ll give me more of a reference on where we are against the top boys.”
United have climbed up to sixth with their rebirth, six points behind Chelsea in the final Champions League qualifying spot.
They are 10 points back of Spurs, who already won 3-0 at Old Trafford in August.
“We are enjoying a great period of form and we are going to fight to extend it as far as we can, enjoying the journey as much as possible,” midfielder Juan Mata wrote on his blog.
“The next challenge on the horizon is tough, paying Spurs a visit in London.”
Liverpool look to end a minislump at Brighton tomorrow.
The Reds suffered their first league defeat against current champions Manchester City, who moved within four points of the leaders a week ago before a mainly second-string side fell to Wolverhampton in the FA Cup on Monday.
“(It’s) back-to-back defeats now, which really isn’t good enough for us, but you have blips in a season,” midfielder James Milner said.
“It’s about how you respond. “I think you’ve seen the character in the squad in the last few years, and the players we have, to know we will bounce back.
“We have to show that, though. It’s easy saying it in an interview, we have to do it on the pitch at the weekend.”
City continue their title defence at home to Wolves on Monday. They followed their crucial win over Liverpool with a pair of devastating performances – a 7-0 rout or Rotherham in the FA Cup and a 9-0 destruction of Burton in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.
Next up is a Wolves side who have impressed in their first season back in the top flight, currently sitting in ninth place.
They’ve also held their own against the league’s elite with two wins and three draws in seven games against the so-called “Big Six” of Liverpool, City, United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal.
One of those draws came against City in August.
“It won’t be easy,” midfielder Leander Dendoncker said after the Liverpool win.
“Now it’s City and we have to go with the same spirit and be well organised, because they’re play at home and at home they are very strong. But we will see, and we will do our best and give everything.”
Arsenal visit West Ham, Burnley host Fulham, Huddersfield travel to Cardiff, Crystal Palace face Watford, Southampton are at Leicester, Chelsea welcome Newcastle tomorrow, while Everton take on Bournemouth in Sunday’s other game.