Chronicle Editor
London – A comfortable win at troubled Tottenham Hotspur and then a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired escape from defeat at the hands of Atalanta have taken some of the heat off under-pressure Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But a more severe test of his side’s health will come today when they host Premier League champions Manchester City in the derby – a game fraught with danger for a United side that has been wildly unpredictable this season.
City suffered a surprise home defeat by Crystal Palace last weekend and they have also lost three of their last four Premier League clashes against Solskjaer’s United.
Such a poor recent record against their neighbours will not sit well with manager Pep Guardiola and there will be points to prove when the whistle blows at Old Trafford.
United were hammered 5-0 by Liverpool in their last home game – one of the worst results in their recent history and one that whipped up a media frenzy about Solskjaer’s future.
That his side recovered to calmly dispatch Tottenham a week later was admirable, although one of the keys of that victory was the return from injury of defender Raphael Varane as Solskjaer started with five at the back.
Worryingly for Solskjaer he will be without Varane for the visit of City after he suffered a hamstring injury against Atalanta and will be ruled out for up to a month.
United will have plenty of defending to do against City and will have to do it well. But that, combined with swift counter-attacks, has generally been the blueprint for their success against their local rivals since Solskjaer took the helm. Solskjaer has won four and drawn one of his eight clashes with Guardiola.
City, for their part, will be all too aware that they cannot afford to fall too far behind Chelsea and Liverpool in the title race and after a 4-1 win against Club Brugge in midweek will head across town in confident mood.
Chelsea lead the standings by three points from Liverpool and five from third-placed City and will aim to continue the momentum they have built when they seek a fifth consecutive league win against Burnley on Saturday. Antonio Conte’s first Premier League game in charge of Tottenham is a trip to face Everton who have lost three in a row under Rafael Benitez. Conte replaced the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo on Tuesday.
Liverpool close the weekend with a difficult trip to the London Stadium to face in-form West Ham United who have made their best start to a top flight season in more than 40 years.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer says he is mystified by suggestions Cristiano Ronaldo is having a negative effect on Manchester United, describing the Portugal star as ‘one of the best players that’s ever walked the planet’.
Ronaldo has scored nine goals in 11 games since making a sensational return to Old Trafford in September amid speculation that he could join Manchester City.
Speaking ahead of the 186th Manchester derby between the two clubs today lunchtime, Solskjaer said he couldn’t understand why Ronaldo has been criticised for not working harder for the team.
“He’s one of the best players that’s ever walked on this planet,” said the United boss.
“His impact on and off the pitch has been absolutely immense and the way he conducts himself.
“How people can say that as a negative I can’t see that one. He scores goals, works for his team, and is a top, top professional.”
Ronaldo’s latest goal came against Atalanta in midweek when his injury-time equaliser rescued a Champions League point in Bergamo.
However, United lost Raphael Varane to a hamstring injury before half-time and Solskjaer confirmed on Friday that the Frenchman could be out for up to five weeks.
It’s a major setback for United who leaked 11 goals in three games during Varane’s recent absence due to a groin strain, but Victor Lindelof is expected to be fit to face City after missing the Atalanta game.
“With all the technology now, you expect him (Varane) to be out for four or five weeks with the scan,” added Solskjaer.
“It’s a blow for us. Raphael has come in and been really, really influential. Eric (Bailly) came in last time and was excellent. That’s why we have a big squad and cope with absentees.
“Victor is still a doubt, but hopefully he can come back in tomorrow and say he’s ready, I would expect him to be ready, put it that way but I can’t promise you.” — Reuters
Online Reporter