daniel chigunwe
LONDON. — Manchester United travel to Tottenham today desperate to stay in touch with the English Premier League’ top four as Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City threaten to break away from the pack.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is clinging to his job after United’s humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool last weekend.
His side have taken just one point from the past 12 on offer.
Leaders Chelsea, Liverpool and defending champions City all have winnable matches this weekend while Leicester.
Arsenal go head-to-head in an intriguing battle between two sides who have found their form.
Solskjaer called his team’s humbling by Jurgen Klopp’s men at Old Trafford his “darkest day” as Red Devils boss.
The Norwegian has reportedly been given three games to save his job but the fixtures are daunting – trips to Tottenham and Atalanta before a derby against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
The Liverpool drubbing came a year after 10-man United collapsed to a 6-1 home defeat against Spurs.
“This is miles worse,” Solskjaer said. “We have big games coming up, so no time to sulk, no time to feel sorry for yourself. We have to come together.”
United have flattered to deceive since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in December 2018, failing to win silverware or mount a realistic title challenge.
Despite recently recruiting Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, they find themselves eight points off leaders Chelsea and realistically out of the title picture.
They have kept just one clean sheet in all competitions this season and will be without the suspended Paul Pogba in London.
It would take a brave punter to bet against either Chelsea, Liverpool or defending champions Manchester City winning the English Premier League title.
Just two points separate the clubs, with fourth-placed West Ham three points behind third-placed City.
The title favourites have made their moves early this season in contrast to the 2020/21 campaign, when Everton, Arsenal, Leicester, Southampton and Tottenham all took turns at the top before City surged to their third title in four years.
English Premiership Fixtures
Today: Leicester City v Arsenal (1:30pm); Watford v Southampton (4pm); Newcastle v Chelsea (4pm); Liverpool v Brighton (4pm); Burnley v Brentford (4pm); Manchester City v Crystal Palace (4pm); Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United (6:30pm).
Tomorrow: Norwich City v Leeds (4pm); Aston Villa v West Ham (6:30pm).
Monday: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton (10pm). — AFP.
Online Reporter