Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led Manchester United started the season with the expectation of getting into the top-four. All the pundits predicted that it will be another year of two-way title race between Manchester City and Liverpool. But no one expected that this season will bring its own twist and turns.
After the turn of New Year, Manchester United leapfrogged everyone to the top of the table. It was for the first time since 2013, Manchester United got to that spot during this time of the calendar.
But the success of November and December is fading away from late January. In the last four Premier League games, Manchester United won only once.
They draw the two others and faced a defeat in one game. The embarrassing loss came against Sheffield United and drew against Arsenal and Everton.
The recent 3-3 stalemate against the toffees will hurt the most to the Red Devils. It was the last kick of the game through which Dominick Calvert Lewin helped his team to earn a point.
After the game, Solskjaer claimed that his team is not challenging for the title and still focussing on improving. This comment did not fare well with for Jamie Redknapp.
Redknapp stated on Sky Sports; “People say take each game as it comes, but this is the year that anything is possible. This isn’t a team of kids, they are a team full of experience, full of international players. The manager should be telling the players to believe they can do it. I was surprised he said that [they were not title contenders].”
Redknapp: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should expect more
This season does offer a great chance to other teams to lift the Premier League title. Liverpool are without its key players. Sadio Mane, Salah, Van Dijk, Thiago, Fabinho, Joe Gomez all have missed a number of games at some period of the season.
Manchester City played most of their session till now without a number nine. Sergio Aguero has been out of the squad due to fitness issues and Gabriel Jesus also missed out due to Covid-19.
On the other hand, Manchester United have not faced many injury issues. Even if they have, it was for a game or two, unlike others. With a full-strength squad, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had the great chance to push his team for the title.
Comments like he made after the game against Everton, does not align well with Manchester United. Red Devils have always been a team who have to challenge for the title. Currently, Manchester City are the most in-form team. But, we have seen teams having a dip this season. Maybe, Pep Guardiola and his team have to see one more dip before the conclusion of the season.
Till then, Solskjaer has to ask his players to go all out and fight like the title challengers. A fourth-placed finish will be a disappointing season for the fans after their recent resurgence.
