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
HONG KONG (AFP) - Trailblazing France coach Corinne Diacre said women in football face a constant struggle for acceptance and are often regarded as "objects" despite rising visibility and media
Women in football face daily battle, says France coach
LONDON: Manchester United's Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba struck first-half goals to claim a 2-0 win that dumped FA Cup holders Chelsea out of the competition and secured a place in the quarter-finals in an intense tie at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
United dump holders Chelsea out of Cup to pile pressure on
SAN ANTONIO - First assistant Ettore Messina will handle the Spurs coaching duties again on Sunday while coach Gregg Popovich mourns the death of his wife.
"Hurt"- A San Antonio Spurs Tribute - YouTube
Handsome payouts for Mourinho - three sacks full Jose Mourinho leaves Old Trafford with his reputation as one of football's most divisive characters even more pronounced. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Handsome payouts for Mourinho - three sacks full | All My
allmysportsnews.com/soccer/handsome-payouts-for-mourinho-three-sacks-full/
Handsome payouts for Mourinho - three sacks full Posted on 12/24/2018 LONDON • Another three-year cycle has ended with yet another Jose Mourinho sacking and a handsome payout.
Football: Jose Mourinho says he lacked help in Manchester
Rangers have signed Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe and Southampton midfielder Steven Davis on loan. Ex-Tottenham forward Defoe, 36, who won 57 England caps, has made only eight appearances for
Football: Scottish title-chasing Rangers sign Jermain Defoe
MADRID (REUTERS) - Real Madrid have signed Serbia striker Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for 60 million euros (S$92 million), television channel Sky Germany said on Thursday (May 16).. Read
Real Madrid agree Luka Jovic signing for 60 million euros
Eriksen's late goal secures precious win for Tottenham 24/04/2019 24/04/2019 Oman Observer London: Christian Eriksen's 88th minute goal finally broke Brighton and Hove Albion's brave resistance to give Tottenham Hotspur a precious 1-0 victory in their quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League on Tuesday.
Eriksen's late goal secures precious win for Tottenham
Benno is making a late run for "defender of the year" in my totally personal and made-up end-of-season awards do. A clean sheet against some toothless Terriers always goes down well here. Cesar Azpilicueta, 2 points
Bottom at Christmas but it's not goal-shy strikers fault
UEFA says anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case AFP December 28, 2018, 10:29 PM UTC Napoli's Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly returns to the San Siro for his first match since
UEFA: Anti-racism protocol not followed in Koulibaly case
Apr 08, 2019 · Chelsea moved up to third with a 2-0 home win over West Ham through two fine Eden Hazard goals but Maurizio Sarri admitted the club will struggle to hold on to their No 10
Football: Pele remains under 'observation' in Brazil hospital
Jun 02, 2019 · Mo Salah says photo of Kyiv pain inspired him to score against Spurs • Salah: 'I looked at the picture from last year before the game' • Striker says Champions League win can start
Mohamed Salah - Wikipedia
Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky trip to Newport (Reuters) - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola predicts his side will "suffer" against fourth-tier Newport County in their FA Cup fifth round match on Saturday but has urged his players to adapt to a battered playing surface at Rodney Parade.
Soccer-Guardiola expects Man City to suffer in tricky trip to
MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated his first game as permanent Manchester United manager with a 2-1 Premier League win over Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday (March
Manchester United 2-1 Watford: Rashford and Martial give
Soccer: PSG's Cavani doubtful for Man United game. 1 Min Read. Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v Bordeaux - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - February 9, 2019 Paris St Germain's
PSG star Edinson Cavani doubtful for Manchester United clash
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen