A win is needed this weekend. I’m fed up of all the doom and gloom surrounding Manchester United.
My belief is every season the manager of Manchester United should feel fully prepared, but after conceding 11 goals in our first three league games it’s difficult to buy into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s verdict that he is happy with his defensive options (via Daily Mail).
There are no excuses. We see the money United make every year, so it’s inexcusable that we are nowhere near the top – competing with Bayern Munich for European Cups and Liverpool/City when it comes to the Premier League title.
The club will point to the millions they will lose over the coronavirus pandemic. An ESPN report in September claimed the club’s running total of losses over the last six months already in excess of £75 million. With the football club losing £4-5m every time Old Trafford stages a match without fans, you can understand a restricted presence in the transfer market.
But a club like Manchester United should be better prepared for a global pandemic. They dithered throughout the summer and panicked on deadline day when their rivals had most of their business done.
It helps explain why I’m pessimistic about our chances this season, but a winning run will help lift the mood and it needs to begin on Saturday against Newcastle.
Our hosts at St. James’ Park have four more points on the table, sat in ninth, and we’ll have our work cut out given Newcastle away tends to be a difficult trip for the Reds.
The Toon have won two of their last three Premier League home matches against United.
Steve Bruce’s side are looking for their second successive home win after beating Burnley last time out, whereas we are demanding a response after losing 6-1 against Tottenham at Old Trafford.
With quarantine restrictions and suspensions restricting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Reds will be without new signing Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial for the game.
It remains to be seen how the manager will set up as a result, but I am hoping to see a front two of Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford.
Is that too much to ask?
Jokes aside, we’ll take a win to get three more points on the table to ensure spirits are lifted in the camp.
I know one Manchester United fan who would love to be at the game on Saturday but sadly passed away last week. My condolences go to the family and friends of Garry Sheehan, who took great joy in watching the Reds no matter the result.
Scoreline prediction: Newcastle 1-3 Manchester United
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