[ad_1]
With mounting pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United once again pulled a good win out of the bag when they needed it most, but how many times can we finish here?
At first glance, United’s 3-1 win at Everton at the start of Saturday lunchtime didn’t tell us much about Solskjaer’s side that we didn’t know yet.
Their defensive woes came to the fore when they opened easily for Bernard’s starter, and showed the textbook attacking power they have enjoyed against more outspoken opponents since the manager arrived to deliver their quick trade. Even before the break, it was nothing we haven’t seen in the last two years.
But just as good margins were used to defend United’s narrow loss to Arsenal last weekend, they also paved their way to victory at Goodison Park. Everton’s Lucas Digne hit a post with Dominic Calvert-Lewin unmarked at 1-1, and moments before Edinson Cavani came third in injury time, Abdoulaye Doucoure could well have earned a point from the hosts had he made a connection. decent with Alex Iwobi’s tee.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his team beat Everton 3-1
Those good margins have long been the story of United’s ups and downs, especially under Solskjaer, but they cannot continue to define his reign indefinitely.
After Wednesday’s terrible defeat in Istanbul, there was little on paper to indicate the resilience he would show to avoid his worst start to a league campaign since 1987. Three points later, they are now in a better position than they were. time last season and they look like the powerful outfit Solskjaer desires, and the little surprise “character” was the word on his lips when he spoke to BT sport After the match.
His team had traveled most of the way through Europe and had barely had two days to prepare from their midweek chaos, but they ran almost 5km more than they had six days ago against Arsenal.
0:39
But everything is so predictable. Had 10th-ranked United not beaten Brighton nearly a year ago, Solskjaer might have received his P45, but a convincing win and two losses in 25 to end the season, they vindicated the Manchester United manager. Perhaps it was a turning point.
Maybe not, because here we are again. With three points at Goodison Park secured and an encouraging performance to match, Solskjaer, who United still considers their long-term option, lived to fight another day. The quality of his performance, including the league’s second longest step this season to create his tie, deserves better than being challenged as another false dawn.
But the legacy they have built under Solskjaer, if not since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, is more conclusive. This must be what frustrates the manager the most; when the chips are really low, and it’s really now or never, is when players finally take it out of the bag.
Just to work the point, this is what Manchester United are capable of when they are at their best. “We were prepared to fail,” Solskjaer said. BT sport. “We were in Turkey on Wednesday night, on Thursday morning we will be back, we will play on Saturday lunchtime, it is an absolute disaster. I cannot praise the boys enough for the character they have shown, that’s all. I want to talk about. “
But in the long run, all the Jadon Sanchos in the world are not going to close the gap with Liverpool and even Manchester City without showing this kind of backbone against, say, Crystal Palace. Or avoiding the form of his utter humiliation for Tottenham last month.
The million dollar question is … Why is this so? “From a distance, it looks like it’s just nice,” according to Sky sports pundit and former Arsenal forward Paul Merson. “If I’m George Graham, and we’re a successful team, if they beat us like United did at Arsenal last weekend, I guarantee you that they won’t come out and talk about how good they are. That’s the last thing he’s saying.
“It just feels like a good place to be.”
Overly comfortable things may not explain United’s wonderful form in the second half of last season, which brought them up to expectations and earned Solskjaer the credit he deserved.
But here we are. Back to the predictable and unpredictable starting point. The rise and fall of the streak of United’s existence, just as it has been since the day Solskjaer was appointed permanent manager.
For today, everything is smiles and with good reason. United was largely excellent. They may well go on to convincingly beat West Brom and Southampton in their next two games. Maybe even Manchester City after that. But how long before we all get back here? One month, maybe three, or next season?
[ad_2]
