LONDON • After lording it over their "noisy neighbours" for decades, it remains a bitter pill to swallow for Manchester United to admit their cross-town rivals Manchester City are now "the best team in the country".
Following a chastening 2-0 Premier League home defeat by City on Wednesday, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that to "close that gap and overtake them", they must first acknowledge their deficiencies.
While City are closing in on retaining their title with a one-point lead over Liverpool (88 points) and three games left, United are left with a battle with Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal for two Champions League spots.
It will be a tough ask given that it is now seven losses in nine games for the Norwegian handler, with his 28 per cent win ratio the worst of any full-time United boss. Jack Robson held the previous record at 29.5 per cent from 1914 to 1921.
Solskjaer, looking ahead to the pre-season rebuilding job, said it is now "his job to see who wants to sacrifice enough to be here".
He added: "We got a reaction and, in the end, we were beaten by a better team... You can see the work rate, it wasn't good enough though.
"They (City) have set the standard. For the last couple of seasons, they have been the best team in the league. That's the challenge for us to get to and we're clearly not there now. That's for everyone to see.
"There is a difference in quality. That is why they are top and we are where we are. Living in Manchester, we cannot be happy with that."
His candid assessment of their malaise cut little ice with pundits.
The abject display, with only one shot on target, even created a clash between former teammates.
Roy Keane was angered by Gary Neville's insistence that the Red Devils had "given their all" before putting the result down to the "gulf in class" between the two teams.
NOT GOOD ENOUGH
For the last couple of seasons, they (City) have been the best team in the league. That's the challenge for us to get to and we're clearly not there now.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, Man United manager, on the huge task he has on hand.
Keane, though, felt there was a basic lack of application from the players, telling Sky Sports: "If that's a player giving it their all, then Manchester United are in even more trouble than I think, and they're in huge trouble."
The former club captain, who before the match singled out Paul Pogba as a "big problem" in a "squad full of bluffers", added: "We spoke about leaders and characters and I just don't think they have enough of them. These young players need examples around the club and that's the big question mark.
"The honeymoon period is definitely over. It's probably a bigger job than what he (Solskjaer) thought. The club has to back Ole now and let him this summer bring in the players he wants to turn these problems around."
Fellow pundit Graeme Souness agreed as he blamed their haphazard transfer policy as the root cause of "where the mistakes happen".
Yet United will continue to swim against the tide if they fail to land Champions League football next term.
Solskjaer acknowledged that Sunday's home league game against fourth-placed Chelsea, who are three points ahead, was do-or-die.
He said: "We know we must deliver a good performance. If we win it, we have two games to get those points and goals we need."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
When Lim's company Meriton Holding, bought 70 per cent of Valencia's shares in a €100m takeover, he became not just the club's first foreign owner in its 95-year history but one of a kind in La Liga. It did not please them to be the first club to sell out in that way but things have changed. They are also happier post-Neville.
Three years after Gary Neville's disastrous reign, Valencia
Football: Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle NEWCASTLE, England (REUTERS) - Manchester City's hopes of retaining their Premier League title suffered a potentially grievous blow as struggling Newcastle United earned a remarkable 2-1 comeback win over the champions at St James' Park on Tuesday.
Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle
Sport24 - Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup. But the Portuguese, who has been Iran coach for eight rollercoaster years, insisted that he remains committed to bringing
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup
Messi notches 400 Laliga goals. Lionel Messi scoring Barcelona's second goal against Eibar at the Nou Camp on Sunday. It was his 400th LaLiga goal after just 435 games.
Messi notches 400th La Liga goal - Nigerian News Direct
Edinson Cavani could miss Paris St Germain's Champions League clash with Manchester United due to a hip injury. The Uruguay international striker appears to be a major injury concern for Tuesday's
PSG star Edinson Cavani doubtful for Manchester United clash
Rangers sign Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis in loan moves
Sport > Football > Premier League Erik Lamela demands strong finish from Spurs to secure Premier League top four place and pay back the fans. Tottenham need to hold off Chelsea with two points
Eriksen's Spurs future a 'special situation' - Pochettino - CNA
Jose Mourinho could remain with Manchester United until the end of the 2020-21 season after he agreed a new contract with the Premier League giants. The 54-year-old's reign at Old Trafford has brought silverware, famous wins, transfer coups, controversy and antagonism - very much a microcosm of his stellar career.
Jose Mourinho sacked: His Manchester United highs and lows
Barcelona fans react to Lionel Messi's absence/Malcom's inclusion for El Clasico. — FC Barcelona with many excited by the prospect of Malcom being handed the chance to shine on the
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Malcom, Vinicius shine in Clasico
Aren't babies the epitome of light? They're pure, full of joy and deserve a brilliant name that will inspire their sunlit paths in life. That's why we're loving these baby names that mean
Blessed Girl T-shirts | Christian T-shirts | Christian Gifts
United bank on 'Goal threats', Football News & Top Stories
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
soccer tv live football streaming portugal
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
free watch soccer live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch soccer live stream links
watch soccer live stream apk
watch the champions league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming zee5
watch champions league final live streaming
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch champions league live streaming putlockers
watch soccer online free streaming live no registration
watch premier league net live stream channel
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
watch champions league semi final draw live stream
watch premier league live streaming xfinity
watch coppa america live streaming sub eng
watch coppa america live streaming eng
watch soccer game live espn
watch champions league live streaming zee5
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch champions league live streaming now
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
watch soccer live streaming kenya
watch coppa america live streaming portugal
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online youtube
watch coppa america live streaming pc
watch coppa america live streaming indonesia
watch soccer online free streaming live p2p
watch live stream soccer games online free
watch soccer live streaming juventus
watch indian premier league live streaming
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
watch usa soccer live stream
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch coppa america live streaming match
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
where to watch champions league live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live without registration
watch coppa america live streaming world
cpl 2018 live streaming watch caribbean premier league t20 2018
watch coppa america live streaming canada
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming online free
watch premier league live streaming online
watch premier league live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming hotstar
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online
watch live soccer streaming free android
watch soccer am online live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming youtube
watch soccer online free streaming live dracula
watch soccer live streaming qatar
watch champions league live stream uk
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch coppa america live streaming vivo
watch champions league live streaming bt sport
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming cricfree
watch epl live streaming on iphone
watch coppa america live streaming spain
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch premier league live streaming xbox
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch soccer live streaming jamaica
watch premier league live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch premier league live streaming live free
watch soccer live stream app
watch coppa america live streaming online
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch live streaming soccer games
watch coppa america live streaming live
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch live streaming soccer world cup
watch coppa america live streaming nz
watch soccer online free streaming live arabic
watch coppa america live streaming usa
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch soccer online free streaming live app
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming in india
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
watch coppa america live streaming quality
soccer tv live football streaming reddit
watch premier league darts live stream
watch premier league live streaming vk
watch uefa champions league live streaming sportek
#pagani #goal #americanfootball #bundesliga #manchestercity #bestshishacafedubai #hotcoffee #oasisofficial #frasirap #barcelona #mensnightout #ronaldo #portsmouthfc #freekickerz #realmadrid #kroenkeout #adidasslipon #battuteepiche #cr7 #romania #coutinho #firmino #zinedinezidane #linkstreaming #footballmemes #henderson #cristianoronaldo #MyDubai #winner #jadwalbolahariini #Liverpool #fut #football #433skills #lovefootball #copaamerica #rugby #commento #leicestercity #Barcelona #JUVENTUS #risate #4Series #coffeebreak #visubal #petercrouch #rockstar #liverpool #fcbarcelona #mane #manchestercity #insegreto #footballstreaming #transfernews #thomasmeunier #soccermemes #valcea #calciatoribrutti #kickoff #comics #liverpoolfans #conference #kopisusu
No comments:
Post a Comment