Quote from Segun Ite on October 3, 2021, 6:47 PM

In the past few weeks, Manchester United have really struggled to give some good results contrary to the complete squad that they are. With one of the greatest players to ever play the game, in form of Cristiano Ronaldo, back at Old Trafford, the 20-time EPL winners were meant to be a real source of terror to everyone else in England’s topflight. Not to mention the purchase of ex-Borussia Dortmund speedstar and promising talent, Jadon Sancho. However, for the red side of Manchester, it has been a bit of an inconsistent start to the season and one which doesn’t look like it will change any time soon. United have managed some disappointing results in their 2021/22 season campaign across various competitions. They were on the bitter end of a 2-1 defeat to underdogs, Young Boys, three weeks ago in Switzerland, also losing 2-1 to Aston Villa on Matchday 6 after a late two-sided drama.

Had it not been for their greatest-of-all-time, Cristiano Ronaldo who came to their rescue deep into injury time at Old Trafford midweek, they would have been held to a 1-1 draw by Villareal, a team which dashed their silverware hopes last season. With the Portuguese genius saving his coach’s job by handing his team a winner, Manchester United looked sure and confident of a bounce-back during the weekend.

To start with, Ole Gunner solskjaer made some really terrible decisions by opting not to start Cristiano Ronaldo, obviously what United heavily relies on at the moment, as well as key players, Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho. It’s really hard to say why the Manchester United manager would make such a careless decision at a crucial moment like this, when his team needed every point they could get. Choosing instead to play Martial, Greenwood and Cavani upfront, it looked like his actions could be justified with Anthony martial putting United up at 1-0 just before half-time. With Ronaldo and Sancho brought on twelve minutes into the second half, United looked more complete and dangerous to the Everton goal.

It was however, the Toffees who found an equalizer in the 64th minute of the game through Andros Townsend. United tried to get back in front just like they had done against the Spanish side, but sadly the saying “everyday isn’t christmas” proved its’ validity as Old Trafford was held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Everton, who were without their two best players, Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. They would probably have been more bitter having heard that rivals, Chelsea cruised to a 3-1 win over Southampton at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United’s shortcomings have been masked by the fact that no club in the EPL has performed exceedingly outstanding so far. The defending UCL champions, Chelsea, who currently occupy the top-seat have claimed sixteen points in seven games out of a possible twenty-one, not bad. All four teams from seat two to five, Liverpool, United, Everton, Brighton and Hove Albion are two points behind the league leaders. And with every little opportunity beginning to slip from United, there has been increased pressure mounted on Ole by the fans who obviously want him sacked from the club. With the road ahead looking really rough, Manchester must put their foot on the gas pedal and take their title race more seriously. Definitely, there’s still hope for them as they still have thirty-one games to go in the EPL season. They can more than turn the tide around if they have the guts and discipline to.

With captain, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw both taken off injured against Villa about a week ago, United have been forced to play without certain key men and it would be every bit of correct to say that they have really felt the absence of the defensive duo. And with Maguire stepping up to his recovery program at Carrington, the team could feel the presence of their stopper really soon. That would very much be to their advantage as they face Leicester, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City in back-to-back games immediately after the two-week international break. They do not need anybody injured on the sidelines right now as they’re at a very decisive stage of their season.

Talking about Ole and his critics, the Norweigan manager might have made wrong decisions but that shouldn’t warrant the demands of the fans at Old Trafford for him to be shown the way out of the club. Ole, of course will have to step up his game if he wants to keep earning his dough. Also, ex-Manchester United star Ferdinard has really voiced out in his support for Solskjaer particularly after the 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday lunchtime. He admitted the fact that United have not been in good form, but defended the coach claiming that it wasn’t the right time for fans to call for his[Ole’s] head.

With the international break next, United have enough time to sit, rethink and restrategize. There is also ample time for their injured stars to rehabilitate and get back on the pitch so truthfully speaking, the odds are a bit in their favour on this one.