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The Red Devils coach believes his team can fight for the title despite its inconsistent start to the season
Manchester United may win the Premier League title this season, according to coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils face Manchester City in a highly successful derby at Old Trafford on Saturday, just days after RB Leipzig eliminated them from the Champions League with a disappointing 3-2 loss.
Despite an inconsistent start to their national campaign, including a 6-1 loss to Tottenham and home losses to Arsenal and Crystal Palace, United may be within two points of the leading Spurs if they manage to claim victory against their rivals from the city.
United have won their last four Premier League games, with three of those victories on the way after going behind, and Solskjaer feels his team is showing signs that they could become title contenders.
“At Manchester United, you should always aim to win trophies,” Solskjaer said.
“Of course, with the last three seasons, as they have been, there have been two teams well ahead of the rest of the group.
“I believed during the season, or since the beginning of the new year, that this team is improving and that we can present a challenge.
“Of course we have to improve from last season, but I don’t think any team will get away with it.
“I go into every game wanting to win, so maybe that’s the answer to your question. If you win every game you end up with a trophy.”
Solskjaer’s decisions as Man Utd coach have come under fire in recent matches, and the Norwegian was criticized for failing to replace Fred before the midfielder was sent off against Paris-Saint Germain and the five-defense formation deployed against Leipzig has also been questioned.
Former United star Paul Parker feels the coach was too conservative in choosing his lineup for the Leipzig game, urging him to stick to a system to stop the team’s recent streak of unconvincing performances.
“Solskjaer relies too much on having two holding midfielders all the time. It doesn’t make sense,” Parker said. Eurosport.
“He goes to a game where you can’t go looking for a draw, but when you eliminate two players, his coach [Julian Nagelsmann] I couldn’t believe what they were doing.
“That first half tells you why Manchester United did so badly in their team selection and you can’t keep facing quality teams and changing your system for every game.
“When I was playing for United we were 4-4-2 and then when Eric Cantona showed up it was 4-4-1-1. He was very flexible. Everyone would do everyone else’s job. They are not flexible in what regards to they are doing. “
