PERFECT UNITED CHANCE

I LOOK at Manchester United and, on paper, they seem overwhelming favourites in tonight’s Europa League semi-final with Sevilla.

Pity it’s played on grass, then. And I’m reluctant to stick my neck out too far because Sevilla are like course-and-distance experts in this particular competition.

How many times have they been to the final in recent years – about 100?!

United have goals in them and a devastating threat on the counter. I like all their front three, but I also saw that the Spanish side brilliantly negated Wolves’ threat on the counter.

Both teams have done well since football returned, both have had an impressive run of results and will have confidence.

But, looking more closely, I think neither of them has had the toughest of fixture lists. It’s big for United, though. This is a chance for them to show they are getting back to the United everyone feared in the past. And that will only help in the transfer market, going forward.

It’s also a chance for Paul Pogba (above) to show he can be consistent at the highest level. For me, that’s the biggest challenge Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces over the coming season. Getting Pogba committed to United and getting him playing as we know he can.

One thing strikes me about United, they have played with a freedom since football returned that we didn’t see often enough before the lockdown. Maybe taking the pressure of fans’ expectations out of the equation helped.

If so, then this is the perfect chance to get a trophy on the board before that returns. It promises to be a big week for Solskjaer and Manchester United.