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Tag: Manchester United

  • Solskjaer urges patience with Manchester United’s rebuilding project

    Solskjaer urges patience with Manchester United’s rebuilding project

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is convinced he would be given time to complete his rebuilding project at Old Trafford and says he retains the backing of the club hierarchy.

    Solskjaer has come under increased pressure after back-to-back English Premier League defeats by Liverpool and Burnley left them six points behind Chelsea, who occupy the fourth UEFA Champions League qualification spot.

    Ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup fourth round match against Tranmere Rovers on Sunday, Solskjaer said there would be no “quick fix” to improve their form.

    “We can’t react to all the noise outside.

    “There will be criticism, you have got to take it. You have got to be stronger mentally.

    “I am, the club is, the staff are very strong mentally and we’re sticking to what we believe in and I have got full faith,” Solskjaer told a news conference on Friday.

    Solskjaer pointed to Liverpool’s long-term recruitment project since Juergen Klopp took charge in October 2015, with the Merseyside club now 16 points clear at the top of the league standings.

    “For me, we do have a way of doing things. You can see other teams have done well. You can see Juergen spent four years building his team and they’re doing well now,” Solskjaer added.

    Manchester United have 34 points from 24 league matches this season — 11 fewer than at this stage of the last campaign.

    But Solskjaer will continue to plan for the long-term at Old Trafford.

    The Norwegian is hoping to get at least one signing “over the line” in the January transfer window following injuries to Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.

    “I am not going to change six or nine or 10 months into the job and starting believing in a different way of doing things.

    “It’s not going to be eight or 10 players in, in one transfer window. We’ve had one proper transfer window in the summer, because the January ones are difficult. But we are trying to do something now,” Solskjaer added.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Tranmere Rovers oust Watford to face Manchester United in FA Cup fourth round

    Tranmere Rovers oust Watford to face Manchester United in FA Cup fourth round

    Tranmere Rovers substitute Paul Mullin scored an extra-time winner in a 2-1 victory over English Premier League (EPL) side Watford on Thursday.

    The goal was enough to set up an FA Cup fourth round clash with heavyweights Manchester United on Sunday.

    Mullin had hit the post in the 71st minute after coming on minutes earlier.

    He then headed in the winner at the far post in the 104th minute as Prenton Park erupted with joy after the match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.

    Emmanuel Monthe had put the hosts, who are deep in relegation trouble in League One (third tier), ahead in the 36th minute for a well-deserved lead.

    Tranmere Rovers had already fought back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 in the first match at Vicarage Road to force the replay.

    Watford, who had played 48 hours earlier in the Premier League and made 11 changes for the game, worked their way back after the break.

    Jose Holebas hit the woodwork just past the hour.

    Kaylen Hinds, making his Watford debut, got the equaliser with a scrappy goal in the 68th minute after several defenders failed to clear the ball.

    But Tranmere Rovers fought back once more and grabbed the winner through Mullin, to book a glamour fourth round tie — their first in 16 years — with their big-name opponents. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Manchester United fall to Burnley as fans turn on club’s U.S. owners

    Manchester United fall to Burnley as fans turn on club’s U.S. owners

    Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League qualification hopes suffered a blow with a 2-0 upset at home to Burnley in the English Premier League (EPL) on Wednesday.

    The Old Trafford fans immediately vented their anger at the club’s U.S. owners.

    Goals from Chris Wood and Jay Rodriguez ensured victory for Sean Dyche’s Burnley on a night when Manchester United looked nothing like a “big six’’ team.

    Manchester United fans chanted protest songs aimed at the Glazer family, who have owned the club since 2005, while their team fell to a second straight loss.

    After Sunday’s defeat by leaders Liverpool amidst criticism of the club for failing to secure any new additions so far in the January transfer window, there is an air of crisis around Manchester United.

    The club’s decline since the departure of manager Alex Ferguson after their last English Premier League title in 2013 shows no signs of being reversed.

    The fans clearly put the blame on the Glazers and their chief executive Ed Woodward, more than manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

    Thousands of fans flooded out of Old Trafford well before the end of the game.

    But the hardcore supporters in the Stretford End chose to stay and continue to make their feelings known.

    “(In the) 84th minute I saw people get up and go. That is unheard of at this stadium.

    “Seeing people leave with disdain on their face. It is an embarrassment. The downward spiral in seven years has been remarkable,” former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said in his role as a match pundit for BT Sport.

    The defeat leaves Manchester United fifth in the standings, six points adrift of Chelsea who currently occupy the fourth UEFA Champions League qualification spot.

    Wood fired Burnley ahead in the 39th minute with a half-volley on the turn after a simple free-kick routine.

    Ben Mee headed the ball down into the path of the New Zealand international.

    The Clarets, who move up to 13th place, doubled their lead, seven minutes after the break, through striker Rodriguez who blasted into the top corner after a smart exchange with Wood.

    Manchester United had a last minute header from Luke Shaw ruled out for pushing.

    But they created few clear-cut chances as Burnley held on for their first victory at Old Trafford since 1962.

    “It’s mad. It’s a great feeling. The lads have come in the dressing room buzzing,” said Burnley-born Rodriguez.

    “These are the moments you work hard for. We stopped them playing. We showed our qualities to keep the ball and hurt them.

    “That two-goal cushion was good for the team. This result means everything,” he added.

    The Clarets, deserved winners, had drifted towards the relegation zone after four straight losses but this victory, following Sunday’s win over third-place Leicester City has steadied the ship.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Liverpool move 16 points clear after beating Manchester United

    Liverpool move 16 points clear after beating Manchester United

    Liverpool came through a high-octane tussle with old rivals Manchester United to win 2-0 at Anfield and move 16 points clear at the top of the table on Sunday.

    The win sparked a chorus of “we are going to win the league” from their now-expectant fans.

    Juergen Klopp’s side, chasing their maiden title in the English Premier League (EPL) era and first in the top flight in 30 years, took a 14th-minute lead.

    After the lead from a Virgil van Dijk header, they however had to wait until stoppage time to put the game to bed through Mohamed Salah.

    With a game in hand on second-placed Manchester City, Liverpool’s grip on the title race tightened.

    But while Klopp was not about to echo the euphoric sentiments of the club’s jubilant fans, he was upbeat about his team’s display.

    “It’s a big relief, I was really happy with 85 to 90 per cent of the game. We were brilliant. We dominated the game, especially in the first half. The energy they put on the pitch was incredible,” said the German, whose side have dropped just two points in 22 games.

    For Manchester United, who battled hard but were outclassed in all departments, it was another reminder.

    It reminded them of just how much work is ahead of them if they are to get back to being in contention for titles.

    The loss meant Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suffered another blow to his hopes of qualifying for the 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League.

    This came after the news that his top scorer Marcus Rashford was not only out for the trip to Anfield but could face several weeks on the sidelines with a back injury.

    Manchester United are in fifth place in the league, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

    But while no-one could question the commitment of Solskjaer’s players, it is clear he needs some immediate transfer reinforcements.

    “The players gave us everything. Today we hung on a bit at the start of the second half, but the last 25 to 30 minutes we pressed them and pushed them back.

    “I’m disappointed with conceding from a corner kick and with the last kick —- but very many positives,” he said.

    After a promising start from the visitors, Van Dijk put Liverpool ahead with a firm header after he was poorly marked by Mancheste United.

    They allowed him to rise and nod in a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner kick.

    Roberto Firmino thought he had scored a second, but a VAR review ruled that Van Dijk had fouled Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea before the ball fell to the Brazilian.

    Liverpool had the ball in the net again when Georginio Wijnaldum slotted home after a clever defence-splitting pass from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the Dutchman was ruled narrowly offside.

    Manchester United’s attacking forages were rare but they caused some anxiety for Klopp.

    One of such was when Andreas Pereira slid in but could not make contact with a low ball across the face of the goal from Aaron Wan Bissaka.

    Yet after the break, Liverpool looked determined to put the outcome beyond doubt.

    Salah missed a glorious chance from close range just after the interval during an intense period of pressure from the home side, in which Jordan Henderson also hit the post.

    Manchester United survived that blitz and clawed their way back into the game and could even have snatched an equaliser but Anthony Martial blasted high and wide in the 59th minute.

    Solskjaer’s side applied some late pressure but were caught on the counter-attack in the final moments.

    That was when, with all Manchester United players forward, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker launched a long ball for Salah who raced clear before slotting home to settle Anfield’s nerves.

    “It’s special. We’re enjoying our football. You have to stay hungry and keep wanting more,” said Henderson, who looks well set to be raising another piece of silverware at the end of this campaign after lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy last season.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Manchester United hold talks with Sporting Lisbon to sign Fernandes – reports

    Manchester United hold talks with Sporting Lisbon to sign Fernandes – reports

    Manchester United have held talks with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon over the transfer of midfielder Bruno Fernandes but the clubs are yet to agree a fee, British media reports said.

    United, who are fifth in the Premier League, are looking to strengthen their midfield for the remainder of the campaign with record signing Paul Pogba recovering from ankle surgery and Scott McTominay nursing a knee injury.

    The BBC reported Sporting valued the 25-year-old Fernandes at 60 million pounds ($77.97 million) while Sky Sports said the deal could see United defender Marcos Rojo move the other way.

    Fernandes scored two goals as Sporting beat Vitoria Setubal 3-1 on Saturday and head coach Silas was unsure if the Portugal international would be available to face Benfica on Jan. 17.

    “I can’t guarantee any of these things because I don’t know. Bruno is a huge player and all players like him have a lot of market.

    “I don’t like to think about it, but I’ll be thinking of alternatives in case Bruno leaves.

    ” I hope it doesn’t happen, but we have to start thinking that,” Sky Sports quoted Silas as saying. (Reuters/NAN)