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Luke Shaw says it would be “foolish” to rule out Manchester United’s Premier League title chances this season, but admits they need to be more consistent to mount a serious challenge.
United’s 6-2 demolition of Leeds on Sunday put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side just one point behind second-placed Leicester, which they will face on Boxing Day, and five points behind leader Liverpool with a game in the hand of both teams.
Despite an inconsistent start to the campaign, including a disappointing exit from the Champions League group stage, United are now undefeated in seven Premier League games and Shaw believes it would be foolish to dismiss their chances of becoming champions. for the first time since 2013. especially in such an unpredictable season.
Speaking before the Leeds game, Shaw told Sky Sports: “The way the Premier League is going right now, I think it would be foolish to doubt us. I think right now, it belongs to everyone.
“The team that takes charge, spends the Christmas period well and wins all their games, I think they have a very good opportunity.
“We just have to try to get consistency in our game, because we can’t keep having a good game and quit and then have a bad game. There’s no way you can mount a title challenge like that, so I think we need to keep up. consistency and see where it takes us.
“The Champions League really hurts, but I think that in terms of performance, if we get that consistency, we will be in a much better place than we already are. Of course, we have a lot to improve, all teams do it sometimes, but if we can keep improving and keep that consistency, I’m sure we’ll be in a much better place. “
‘Old Trafford must be a fortress’
United have won all six of their away games in the Premier League this season, but their home performances have been a stark contrast.
Solskjaer’s side had scored just three goals at Old Trafford before Sunday’s win over Leeds, in what was just their second home win of the season.
“With Old Trafford, we have to turn that stadium into a stadium where people are afraid to return,” Shaw said.
“I think teams may not feel that way anymore, especially with some of the results we’ve had and the way we’ve played.
“I think we create opportunities and sometimes we just lack that final third, in which Bruno is usually excellent, but at home we have not been as sharp or as good. We know we have to improve.”
Ole: Manchester United is ‘desperate’ to win trophies
Solskjaer says Manchester United are “desperate” to win trophies this season ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-finals against Everton.
United have won just three major honors since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013: the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League, with former coaches Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho.
The last of those triumphs was in 2017 and while current manager Solskjaer guided United to the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Europa League semi-finals last season, as well as a third place finish in the Premier League, the club’s wait the cutlery continues.
United travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Carabao Cup round of 16 on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports, and Solskjaer stressed the importance of winning his first trophy as United manager.
“Of course it is something we aspire to,” he said. “We want to improve every season and to improve last year is to reach the final. When you reach a final, there is only one thing that matters and that is lifting the trophy.
“I remember winning my first trophy and towards the end of my career, I think Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic’s first trophy was the League Cup in 2006. It gives something to a team.
“We are desperate to get a trophy. These players are desperate to learn how to win.”
What if Man Utd really clicks?
Manchester United have struggled for big chunks this season but sit five points behind Liverpool with a game in hand. How far could they go if they actually clicked?
The 6-2 win over Leeds on Super Sunday was just their second home win of the campaign, but their excellent away form means they are a close behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
It is fair to say that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team has been below average for much of the season and has battled teams that prepared in compact style, particularly at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer has seen Harry Maguire, Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood fall into form, but his position in the league tells a different story. So on the latest Pitch to Post podcast, we asked: Are you really underperforming this season?
Nev: Bizarre where Man Utd is on the table
Man Utd would have “cut off everyone’s hand” for a chance to move two points off the top, but “haven’t played” as title challengers, says Gary Neville.
United moved up to third place, the first time they have held a place in the Champions League standings all season, with a 6-2 defeat of Leeds at Old Trafford on Super Sunday, with a game in hand over the second-ranked Leicester and leader Liverpool, who could lift them two points off the top of the table if they won.
“For Manchester United, it was about closing the gap, nobody thought they would be in a position to get that close,” he said on Gary Neville’s podcast. “They are going to be second in the league if they can close that gap. It doesn’t seem like Manchester United played like that.
“There has been talk of the coach’s work, leaving Europe was a big problem, the performances have sometimes been horrible.
“You just look at them and think there is no emerging team that can fight for the title. My instinct is still to say that I don’t think Manchester United are going to win the league.
“But I’m surprised, it’s weird that they’re considering a couple of weeks ago that you thought this might be a difficult, challenging period coming up to Christmas, but it looks a little more optimistic.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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