After drawing with Arsenal at the Emirates, Manchester United are three points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City having played one game more.
Man City’s rise to the top of the table was expected. Manchester United resurgence this season was not.
Let’s not throw our toys out of the pram after today’s draw because we shouldn’t have been under the impression that they’d suddenly become league winners after showing one incredible run of form.
I still worry about the lack of a winger in this side, and the fact our goalscorers aren’t scoring goals at the moment is a growing concern. They looked better when they had Odion Ighalo to train with!
Jokes aside, I look at the result this evening and think about the ways Solskjaer could improve things between now and the end of the season. He’s done it in the past but it’s difficult when your forwards aren’t firing.
Anthony Martial hardly touched the ball when he came on to replace Scott McTominay in the first-half. Nothing is clicking for Marcus Rashford and it feels like Edinson Cavani is still adapting to the side.
It baffles me that Cavani didn’t start against Sheffield United. Even at 33, my concern isn’t that he’s playing too much. My concern now is nobody seems to be scoring goals.
This can’t continue very long if United want to be part of a title race this season. Solskjaer knows that, but he will argue we were never going to win the league this season.
OGS 🗣 "We don't think about the title race or the title now, we're in January. We are just focusing on getting back on the road. I think the disappointment on Wednesday, of course, was big. Today gives us more belief again…" pic.twitter.com/xW8958fthZ
— StrettyNews.com (@StrettyNews) January 30, 2021
So what is it we are settling for here?
Manchester United could easily drift into a fight for top four and that would be underwhelming after going through enough drama last season.
Moreover, look at how unpredictable the Premier League has been this season? Top dreams dropping points and crazy fixture congestion. At times this season I’ve looked at the players and almost accepted that they’re exhausted.
It’s not a time for knee-jerk opinions. Manchester United still find themselves in a strong league position and we need to focus on getting a winning run together again.
Read more: Man United squad member lifts lid on how De Gea and Henderson feel about Solskjaer’s man-management
