Manchester United finished third last season. Hardly an achievement but it was the step in the right direction, just like finishing runners-up would be this term.
I’m not going to pop up a bottle of champagne if United finish second place and City win the Premier League. I will be satisfied to see us finish a place better off than the previous campaign, although the ultimate aim must be to win the title outright.
Winning the Premier League was not an objective before the season began. Solskjaer still needs to win his first trophy as United manager and we stand a very good chance in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
When asked how much of an achievement would it be finishing second to City, Solskjaer replied (as per Manchester Evening News): “Our focus is just on this one game, not where we could end up.
“We have to be the best possible Man United and try to improve on last season. More points, hopefully get to a final. We have to challenge ourselves.
“They [City] are ahead of us by a far distance so it is a test for us.”
Solskjaer faces up to the reality and doesn’t fall for the bait by accepting second place as an achievement by rubbishing the question.
City are miles ahead of us, as well as the rest of the Premier League, so it’s going to take something special to get a result at the Etihad this weekend.
Our record against the big six isn’t great and City are on an unbelievable unbeaten run going into the game.
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