Solskjaer not giving up hope of catching Man City
“We’ve got to be there just in case. Every time we get three points we’ve done our job and that’s what we’ve got to do and see what other teams do. We had to find a way to win it in the second-half. The first-half wasn’t up to the standard that we wanted. Maybe because of Newcastle, maybe because of what we did in the week.”
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer is not giving up hope that Manchester United can challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title, despite the scintillating form of the league leaders.
City have soared 10 points clear of their local rivals thanks to an 18game winning streak in all competitions.
United’s own inconsistent form has helped open up the gap, but the Red Devils beat Newcastle 3-1 on Sunday to win for just the second time in six league games.
“We’ve got to be there just in case,” said Solskjaer. “Every time we get three points we’ve done our job and that’s what we’ve got to do and see what other teams do.”
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford were again on target on a night United needed their star men to paper over the cracks of another unconvincing performance.
Solskjaer made five changes to the side that impressively thrashed Real Sociedad 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday and was lucky not to be punished for a disjointed start from the hosts.
“We had to find a way to win it in the second-half. The first-half wasn’t up to the standard that we wanted,” added Solskjaer.
“Maybe because of Newcastle, maybe because of what we did in the week. We asked them to go again after a high-intensity game and it took us to half time to get our legs and energy.”
A run of two wins in 14 games has left Newcastle just three points clear of the drop zone, but Steve Bruce remains confident his side will survive.
“Fulham have had a good week and won a couple of games, which at the bottom end of the table is big, but there are a few of us: Brighton, Burnley and maybe Crystal Palace looking over their shoulders,” said Bruce.
“My message to the supporters is that I’m convinced we’ll be OK.”
Poor goalkeeping cost Bruce’s men the opening goal on the half hour mark as Rashford wriggled free inside the area, but his shot should have been kept out by Karl Darlow.
United’s sloppy defending from set-pieces was punished six minutes later, though, when Saint-Maximin swept the ball into the top corner after Harry Maguire only half-cleared a cross into the box.
After a blistering start to his United career last season, Dan James has struggled for game time, but the Welshman has now scored in his last three appearances as he blasted past Darlow from close range just before the hour mark.
More good footwork from Rashford then drew Joe Willock into an ill-advised challenge inside the box and the on-loan Arsenal midfielder conceded a penalty.
Darlow had saved the only spotkick Fernandes has missed as a United player when the sides met earlier in the season.
But he was wrong-footed this time as the Portuguese playmaker coolly converted to give United the twogoal cushion they craved.
ENGLAND-BASED Brendan Galloway is set to be roped into the Warriors provisional squad that is expected to be announced today ahead of two decisive Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group H qualifiers next month.
Zimbabwe travel to Botswana on March 25 in a crucial match where a win would earn them a ticket to next year’s Afcon finals set for Cameroon.
Four days later, the Zdravko Logarušić-coached side host Zambia to conclude their qualification campaign.
Many local football enthusiasts are hopeful that by the time Chipolopolo arrive in Harare, the Warriors would have wrapped up their qualification.
Logarušić is expected to announce his squad for the two assignments today, and NewsDay Sport is reliably informed that the Croat wants Galloway to be part of the squad.
Sources said while the coach would stick to the bulk of the players that did duty against Algeria in the last two qualifiers at the end of last year, there would be a few additions.
It is said Logarušić will name a bloated squad of about 40 players as he anticipates that some of the stars will not be able to turn up due to different reasons, including COVID-19 restrictions.
Information obtained shows that the 24-year-old Galloway was one of the England-based Warriors on the provisional list.
The others are regulars Marvelous Nakamba, Tendayi Darikwa, Jordan Zemura and Adam Chicksen, who were part of the squad that played against the African champions in back-to-back clashes in November last year.
Sources said Zifa authorities had engaged Galloway, who has reportedly agreed to honour the call-up.
The former Everton left-back has previously turned down Zimbabwe, with the hope of turning out for England which he represented at junior levels.
He was called up to the Warriors squad for the 2017 Afcon finals, but did not show up, choosing to be part of the England U21 set-up that was competing in the Euro U21 qualifiers.
The defender, who is currently in the books of championship side Luton Town, was born in Harare before relocating to England at the age of six, making him eligible to play for either Zimbabwe or England.
But the availability of Galloway and the rest of the England-based stars for the two final qualifiers is in doubt due to the tough COVID-19 regulations enforced by that country.
England has put 33 countries classified as high-risk areas in terms of coronavirus variants under a red list and Zimbabwe is part of them.
The British authorities want all those returning from the red-listed countries to be quarantined for 10 days at an airport hotel on their return.
Most clubs have said they are not comfortable with this arrangement as that will mean that their players will miss some matches.
Fifa has said the clubs can choose to refuse to release their players.
Logarušić was initially supposed to name his squad last week, but was forced to delay as he was waiting for feedback from the English clubs.
Zifa had not received feedback by yesterday evening. The association has, however, said the coach will go ahead with the squad announcement today.
The coach is also expected to reward those who played well at the Africa Nations Championships, with King Nadolo, Farawu Matare and Shadreck Nyahwa expected to receive call-ups.
Zimbabwe are second in Group H with five points, behind log leaders and already-qualified Algeria (10 points).
With the group’s top two teams qualifying to the Afcon finals, the Warriors will book their place if they beat Botswana and Zambia fail to beat Algeria.
Botswana have four points, while Zambia are on three.