LONDON • After lording it over their "noisy neighbours" for decades, it remains a bitter pill to swallow for Manchester United to admit their cross-town rivals Manchester City are now "the best team in the country".
Following a chastening 2-0 Premier League home defeat by City on Wednesday, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that to "close that gap and overtake them", they must first acknowledge their deficiencies.
While City are closing in on retaining their title with a one-point lead over Liverpool (88 points) and three games left, United are left with a battle with Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal for two Champions League spots.
It will be a tough ask given that it is now seven losses in nine games for the Norwegian handler, with his 28 per cent win ratio the worst of any full-time United boss. Jack Robson held the previous record at 29.5 per cent from 1914 to 1921.
Solskjaer, looking ahead to the pre-season rebuilding job, said it is now "his job to see who wants to sacrifice enough to be here".
He added: "We got a reaction and, in the end, we were beaten by a better team... You can see the work rate, it wasn't good enough though.
"They (City) have set the standard. For the last couple of seasons, they have been the best team in the league. That's the challenge for us to get to and we're clearly not there now. That's for everyone to see.
"There is a difference in quality. That is why they are top and we are where we are. Living in Manchester, we cannot be happy with that."
His candid assessment of their malaise cut little ice with pundits.
The abject display, with only one shot on target, even created a clash between former teammates.
Roy Keane was angered by Gary Neville's insistence that the Red Devils had "given their all" before putting the result down to the "gulf in class" between the two teams.
NOT GOOD ENOUGH
For the last couple of seasons, they (City) have been the best team in the league. That's the challenge for us to get to and we're clearly not there now.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, Man United manager, on the huge task he has on hand.
Keane, though, felt there was a basic lack of application from the players, telling Sky Sports: "If that's a player giving it their all, then Manchester United are in even more trouble than I think, and they're in huge trouble."
The former club captain, who before the match singled out Paul Pogba as a "big problem" in a "squad full of bluffers", added: "We spoke about leaders and characters and I just don't think they have enough of them. These young players need examples around the club and that's the big question mark.
"The honeymoon period is definitely over. It's probably a bigger job than what he (Solskjaer) thought. The club has to back Ole now and let him this summer bring in the players he wants to turn these problems around."
Fellow pundit Graeme Souness agreed as he blamed their haphazard transfer policy as the root cause of "where the mistakes happen".
Yet United will continue to swim against the tide if they fail to land Champions League football next term.
Solskjaer acknowledged that Sunday's home league game against fourth-placed Chelsea, who are three points ahead, was do-or-die.
He said: "We know we must deliver a good performance. If we win it, we have two games to get those points and goals we need."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham: We must fight for third place - Pochettino. Spurs needed to respond after the loss at Burnley on Saturday but this was a tired, uninspired performance that surely ends their
Where Chelsea can win or lose the top four - football.london
Chelsea collapsed to a 4-0 thrashing at Bournemouth as the Premier League's supposed lesser lights continued to cause mischief at the top end of the table. Liverpool, seeking a first title since 1990, have still increased the gap over City from four points to five but it was night of jitters at a freezing Anfield.
Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse - omanobserver.om
Sergio Ramos concedes that Cristiano Ronaldo was "very decisive" for Real Madrid, but insists "winning is always the objective" even with a talismanic presence having departed the club.
Ramos: Winning is Real's only objective with or without Ronaldo
Source: ABC Queensland, "Mick, Sarah, and Ian - The Stakes are High for Problem Gamblers." Feb. 21,2008 It can start so innocently. So you had a little bet on the Melbourne Cup and lost, or you overspent a little on…
High Stakes Gambler - facebook.com
Dec 18, 2018 · The coach had long coveted a chance to work at the club, but he struggled to connect with United's players, notably Paul Pogba. On Tuesday, Mourinho was let go.
Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho criticises club and says Paul
Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund have insisted Chelsea-target Christian Pulisic will not be allowed to leave in the January transfer window. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States drives
Chelsea target Pulisic not for sale in January - Dortmund
adtest.supersport.com/football/germany/news/181212/Chelsea_target_Pulisic_not_for_sale_in_January_Dortmund
Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund have insisted Chelsea-target Christian Pulisic will not be allowed to leave in the January transfer window. According to British media reports, Chelsea are interested in the 20-year-old US international, but Dortmund, who want €50 million for the right winger, have blocked a possible departure next month.
Chelsea target Pulisic not for sale in January: Dortmund
Liverpool returned to their swaggering best and retained a slender lead in the Premier League with a 5-0 thrashing of Watford on Wednesday that was powered by two goals apiece from Sadio Mane and
Stylish Liverpool thrash Watford 5-0 to stay top of league
After becoming a Norwegian citizen, you will be invited to participate in a voluntary citizenship ceremony to mark the transition. It is the County Governor who organises these ceremonies. More information about citizenship, conditions and the procedure for applying is available at
Watch FA Cup: Brighton face Man City in semis after beating Millwall on pens Semi-final draw: Man City v Brighton, Watford v Wolves; They'll play Manchester City in their first FA Cup semi
FA Cup semi-finals: Man City v Brighton, Watford v Wolves
LONDON — Chelsea suffered a setback in their push for a Champions League spot when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley in the Premier League on Monday and tempers flared at the end of the match when Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri was sent to the stands. Jeff Hendrick gave Burnley an
Chelsea held 2-2 by Burnley, denting Champions League hopes
Lucas Moura: From PSG cast off to Tottenham idol Lucas Moura almost single-handedly fired Spurs into their first Champions League final with a hat-trick in Amsterdam.
Lucas Moura, from PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol
0 comments:
Post a Comment