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MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – Pressure on Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is mounting ahead of Saturday’s difficult trip to Everton, as the last two Premier League champions face off on Sunday when Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad.
Solskjaer’s reign at United has been characterized by extreme ups and downs, but a loss at Goodison Park would raise serious questions about the Norwegian’s future at the club.
Just two weeks ago, United won impressively at Paris St Germain in the Champions League and followed that victory with a 5-0 crush over RB Leipzig at Old Trafford.
But a lackluster 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal on Sunday, which left United without a home win in the league this season, was followed by a regrettable performance in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Istanbul Basaksehir.
After the game in Turkey, Solskjaer laughed at speculation from experts like former United captain Roy Keane that his players could end up costing him his job.
“I refuse to comment on such a thing,” Solskjaer said. “Of course it’s early and opinions are there all the time. You have to stay strong. I am employed by the club to do a job and I do the best I can with my staff.”
United have not beaten Everton in their last three meetings, a streak that includes a 4-0 hammering in April 2019, which was allegedly the game that led Solskjaer to decide on the subsequent sale of various team members he inherited. Jose’s. Mourinho.
Everton’s strong start to the season has lost momentum with Carlo Ancelotti’s team losing two in a row, although the Merseysiders have the advantage of not playing in European competition midweek.
Colombian attacking midfielder James Rodríguez missed last week’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle, but Ancelotti hopes he is ready for the United clash.
Manchester City and leaders Liverpool enter Sunday’s game after good Champions League victories.
However, Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp expects Joel Matip to return from injury to add his experience to a central defense without the injured Virgil van Dijk.
Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara could also be back from injury, as Liverpool look to open an eight-point lead over a City team that, despite being 10th in the table, is still seen by many as their main rival. for the title this season.
City’s options have been boosted by the return to form of forward Gabriel Jesus, who came off the bench to score against Olympiakos Piraeus in the middle of the week.
Second-placed Leicester City have a tasty Midlands derby on Sunday with the Wolves, sixth.
(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Toby Davis)
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