LONDON • Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has five Premier League games left in the season to prove conclusively the club's hierarchy was not hasty in making him Jose Mourinho's permanent successor last month.
After a spectacular start as caretaker manager, during which he won his first eight games and lost just one of his opening 17 matches in charge, United have since suffered a precipitous drop in form.
Five defeats have come in their last seven games, a run which has seen them exit the FA Cup and Champions League, leaving a top-four finish in serious doubt.
They now face a pivotal week, starting with a trip to Everton today before hosting Manchester City (Wednesday), who are locked in a title tussle with Liverpool, and top-four rivals Chelsea (Sunday).
Solskjaer insisted he could not have done a better job given their league position when he took over on Dec 19, when they were 11 points off the top four, but now have "five games to see if we can finish it off".
Although their season ends with a visit to already relegated Huddersfield and a home game against Cardiff, whose relegation fate might also be sealed by then, their next three games are likely to determine whether the club will cement one of the two Champions League places they are competing for with the Blues, Arsenal and Tottenham.
But Solskjaer does not believe his team have any added advantage over the three London clubs who are still in Europe. Spurs will face Ajax in the Champions League semi-final and both Arsenal and Chelsea are also in the last four of the Europa League.
The Norwegian said: "It will give them (United's rivals) a boost playing those games, that's what you want as a player.
"These three games are our short-term focus and we shouldn't think about anything other than having a great week ahead of us."
Denying that his elevation has had a negative effect on his players' performances, Solskjaer insisted it was down to "margins".
However, his critics are beginning to sharpen their knives, with pundit Jermaine Jenas telling BBC Sport his appointment as United's full-time manager was "an emotional decision" and not a "thought-out logical decision for the long term".
He added: "I don't think they needed to try and find someone who can get close to what (former manager Alex) Ferguson has done, they needed to find (a new identity). I don't think they know what they're doing."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
EVERTON V MAN UNITED
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227, 8.30pm
Gareth Bale is still "100 per cent" committed to Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, the Wales star's agent insisted on Monday. Former Tottenham winger Bale has been linked with a
Bale is 100 per cent committed to Real Madrid, says Welshman
Chelsea manager has become one of the first people in the history of humankind to praise Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho's 'human quality.' Sarri has admitted that Mourinho's understanding after he became embroiled in a touchline fracas with Blues assistant Marco Ianni at Stamford Bridge last month has left a lasting impression on him.
Maurizio Sarri convinces wantaway star to - football.london
winner | Malaysia News is a newsreader (RSS reader) providing a summary of headlines and latest news stories disseminated in the reliable news sources from Malaysia News. Malaysia News reads latest regional, national and local headlines in English and Melayu.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic fails to attend training for Paris Saint
Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday. The hosts, looking for a second successive
Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet
Weary feet to blame for England's fall. England's Kyle Walker scoring an own goal during extra time while under pressure from Dutch striker Quincy Promes during their Nations League semi-final
Boy, 6, reportedly in critical condition after falling 15
The family of Emiliano Sala has paid tribute to the footballer after police confirmed it was his body that was pulled from the wreckage of a missing airplane in the English Channel. The 28-year
Unai Emery urges Arsenal to focus on Valencia clash The 10-man Gunners slipped to a third straight defeat after the dominant Foxes ran out 3-0 winners. During Jose Mourinho's time in
Unai Emery urges Arsenal to focus on Valencia clash
Football; Liverpool title bid hit by Matip injury Cameroon centre-back Matip had started the Reds' last three matches and his injury is blow to Liverpool's hopes of remaining on top of the
Liverpool title bid hit by Matip injury - Vanguard News
Check out these climbers! Although parents still love the names Santiago, Sebastian, Sophia, and Isabella, which held onto their lead this year, we have some very interesting changes to report for this year's top 100 - for example, the huge leap in popularity made by some names.
Carlos Queiroz reportedly stepped down as Iran manager after his team exited the AFC Asian Cup 2019 at the hands of Japan in the semifinals. Bassil Mikdadi, President of Jazzar agency and Founder
Soccer: Chelsea hold on against Brighton to consolidate top
These tools should be struck only with hammers of lesser hardness. DO NOT strike this tool with a steel sledge hammer- the hammer or sledge could explode and/or fragment causing severe injury or death. USE A BRASS OR COPPER HAMMER WHEN STRIKING A PUNCH. We have added a couple of brass hammers to this page that should work fine.
Black Ops 2 Zombies: Pack A Punch 13 Times! - YouTube
Atletico extend lead over Real with narrow win over Eibar La Liga / 20 April 2019, 7:09pm / Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone gestures during their La Liga clash against Eibar on Saturday.
Atletico extend lead over Real with narrow win over Eibar
Long live football! The Premier League returns to reign over Europe MARCA; Football: Jurgen Klopp fires up Liverpool with 'It's only pain' motto, Pep Guardiola urges City to 'be precise' The
City will pounce if Liverpool slip up: Guardiola
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen