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
man city to get points deduction, cl ban & transfer ban? | football leaks allegations analysis
Manchester City could face a Uefa ban from Champions League
Tottenham blew the chance to cement their top four spot as London rivals West Ham became the first away side to win at their new ground. Michail Antonio's second half strike prove enough to earn
Football: West Ham's Michail Antonio scores winner as Spurs
worldsportstale.com/soccer/football-west-hams-michail-antonio-scores-winner-as-spurs-suffers-first-loss-at-new-stadium/
04/27/2019 Comments Off on Football: West Ham's Michail Antonio scores winner as Spurs suffers first loss at new stadium LONDON (AFP) - Mauricio Pochettino admitted his Tottenham stars are suffering from fatigue after they lost for the first time at their new stadium as Michail Antonio fired West Ham to a surprise 1-0 victory on Saturday
Premier League: Tottenham 0-1 West Ham - Spurs suffer first
Newcastle fans, who had seen their side narrowly escape defeat in the home match with Championship Blackburn, were given some respite from their top-flight struggles with a replay win against
ABERDEEN, Scotland (AP) — A joint World Cup bid by North and South Korea is being talked up by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. "I have been hearing for the Women's World Cup in 2023, the two Koreas," Infantino said.
Joint Korean bid for 2023 Women's World Cup floated by FIFA
Newport dealing with fallout from fraud allegations. Newport's city manager believes in her city's future following the collapse of projects promised by Jay Peak owner
Newport County: Justin Edinburgh dedicates win to Byron
Gareth Bale is "100 per cent" committed to Real Madrid, according to his agent. Jonathan Barnett was responding to reports that Real manager Zinedine Zidane had raised doubts over the Welshman's
Bale '100 percent' committed to Real claims agent
Football: Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth LONDON (AFP) - Mesut Ozil made the most of being handed a rare start by Arsenal boss Unai Emery as the German masterminded a 5-1 victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday (Feb 27) to keep the Gunners in pole position for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Football: Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth
sportsloveme.com/soccer/football-ozil-leads-five-star-arsenal-past-bournemouth/
Football: Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth 02/28/2019 Arsenal , EPL , FOOTBALL MATCHES LONDON (AFP) - Mesut Ozil made the most of being handed a rare start by Arsenal boss Unai Emery as the German masterminded a 5-1 victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday (Feb 27) to keep the Gunners in pole position for a top-four finish in the
Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth -football- my.t
Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top-flight run for 38 years. Wolves' previous top-flight campaign in 2011-12 ended with just 25 points and relegation. Federer returns to Roland
Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top-flight run for 38
adtest.supersport.com/football/premier-league/news/181215/Wolves_beat_Bournemouth_in_their_best_topflight_run_for_38_years
Wolves' previous top-flight campaign in 2011-12 ended with just 25 points and relegation. Now they are seventh, one point behind Manchester United. Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo was predictably delighted with his team on a bitterly cold day. "In this weather, with the wind, cold and rain and against Bournemouth - I'm very proud.
Soccer: Wolves beat Bournemouth in their best top-flight run
You can learn a lot when a small delegation of highly-trusted testers inspects your brave new world for the very first time. Insights tumble from their unspoiled, eager minds like the luminous heaps of loot that litter the ground after a hearty battle.
Super Rugby: Chiefs' fate virtually in their own hands as
To get rid of hornets, wait until nighttime since hornets are less active at night. Then, put on some protective clothing, like a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, a hat, and goggles. Once you're suited up, locate the hornets' nest and spray the opening with an insecticide from a distance.
Clinical Wood set to exploit Arsenal's Europe hangover
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has urged his fellow Paris Saint-Germain teammates to show "a spirit of sacrifice for the team" with Edison Cavani and Neymar out for the match against Manchester United.
Buffon: PSG and Man Utd are equal as Champions League tie
Welcome to the official Tottenham Hotspur website. Explore the site, discover the latest Spurs news & matches and check out our new stadium.
Soccer: Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Sane
Shiotani fires Japan past Uzbeks, Qatar's Ali downs Saudis a thunderous winner from Shiotani, who plays his club football with Al Ain and unfurled a rippling strike just before the hour-mark
Shiotani fires Japan past Uzbeks, Qatar's Ali downs Saudis
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar