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Whether Manchester United was mischievous or kind this year, the club will certainly keep it all crossed for the big bear with the beard to bring plenty of gifts down the Old Trafford fireplace.
After a turbulent and challenging 2020, United closed the year on a positive note with a reserved spot in the Carabao Cup semi-final and are seven games unbeaten in the Premier League, placing them five points behind league leaders Liverpool with a party less. .
With the hint of a title race in the air alongside eggnog, what should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be looking forward to finding under the tree this Christmas to make 2021 an even better year?
Our writers discussed what United’s biggest Christmas wishes should be …
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Rich fay
It has been a rather strange year at Old Trafford, but there is no denying the genuine progress that has been made with Solskjaer in 2020.
United have reached four semi-finals with the Norwegian coach and are in a race for the Premier League title at Christmas for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired seven years ago.
Next week will usher in a new year, the fourth since United lifted a trophy with the Europa League in 2017. The goal for the coming months should be to add silverware to a trophy cabinet, even if it is only the Carabao Cup.
A victory in the trophy would not only ease the pressure on Solskjaer, it would also justify the process that has brought him here just over two years since he took over as acting boss.
Tyrone marshall
United’s biggest gift could come at lunchtime on Boxing Day. If they go to Leicester and win to move to second place in the Premier League, it will be a huge statement of intent that they are in this title race for a long time.
It looks like 2020 is ending very well for United and if they can keep a good streak of form against the Foxes and Wolves it will make them believe that 2021 could be a memorable year.
No one expected United to be in this position, but they have made their way into the title race and the longer they can stay on Liverpool’s tail, the more likely they will have a say in March, April and May.
Beyond allowing fans to dream of a 21st league title, Solskjaer also hopes that the first week of January will finish his semi-final block. The Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City will be the fourth semi-final with Solskjaer. It’s about time they reached a final and clinched some titles with the Norwegian. That would be another great sign of progress.
Dan murphy
The present that could top everyone else this Christmas would be the signing of David Alaba in the January transfer market.
Although United are in great shape, it is clear that they still have weaknesses at the rear, not just in the quality of their defenders, but in the number of them who regularly experience fitness issues.
However, the brilliant and experienced Alaba, with his ability to play central, left-back and even midfield, would solve those problems with a single blow.
The Austrian has yet to sign a new contract with Bayern Munich and the club’s pending executive president Oliver Kahn told Bild on Wednesday that, as things stand, he will leave the club: “David has been at the club for twelve years. Bayern, ten of them as a professional. As it is, it is changing its career. We have to accept that. “
If the German giants don’t want to lose Alaba for free, they may look to sell him cheap in January and that’s the caliber of the firm that could turn title dreams into reality.
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