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Manchester United are only behind Liverpool on goal difference, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects the title race to remain just as “tight”.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the race for the Premier League title this season will be “very close”, although he does not get carried away after Manchester United caught up with Liverpool at the top.
United defeated Aston Villa 2-1 at Old Trafford on Friday, coming second behind the defending champions only because of their lower goal difference.
It was a 10th consecutive league game without a loss for Solskjaer’s team, who seized the opportunity presented by Liverpool’s goalless draw with Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Liverpool can bounce back in Southampton on Monday, with United’s game in hand against Burnley in late January, but Solskjaer expects many more twists and turns before the campaign ends.
“We have improved, we are improving,” the manager told Sky Sports. “The league – and the season – is going to be very close.
“There are going to be different and difficult games, strange results, we just have to keep working and improving as a team.
“Since the restart of the project [late last season]We have been a very consistent team.
“Every time you win a game, you take another step. That’s three points in total, you just have to accumulate them.
“The first game is as important as the last game of the season, they all count the same.”
United defeat Villa at Old Trafford
With Anthony Martial’s starter canceled by Bertrand Traore, Again it was Bruno Fernandes’s turn to score the winning goal from the penalty spot against Villa, who have not won in 16 league games with United.
The Red Devils have lost just three of their 30 league games since signing Fernandes in 2020, who has participated in 33 goals in this time (19 goals, 14 assists).
In the history of the Premier League, only Andrew Cole (37 appearances – 28 goals, nine assists) has had a greater impact since his first 30 matches in the competition.
But United held on in the final stages, with Eric Bailly making six clearances, the game’s most, launching himself into a vital stoppage time block in front of goal. to leave Solskjaer a bit concerned about his team’s inability to close out games when ahead.
“To be fair, I didn’t enjoy the last 10 minutes so much, we should have seen the game in a better light.” he said, having seen United finish with just 48.9 percent of possession.
Final glass sensation
“It seemed like it was a cup final, or the last game of the season. We need to learn to play better when we are in the lead. We have shown that when we pursue a goal, we are capable of achieving it.
“We created chances. It was always going to be a physical game. We knew they had improved tremendously and gave us some challenges.
“There were a few times in that area where you were a little worried. We didn’t stop crosses well enough, because when they did cross, they were always dangerous.
“But we did some fantastic blocks, some saves, so I’m delighted with the three points.”
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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