BEVERLY HILLS, January 31, (THEWILL) – As any unbiased follower of the EPL will accept, Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has certainly improved Manchester United over the past couple of matches. Recent victories over Leeds, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa in the Premiership saw them climb to the top and record a sweet FA Cup win over Liverpool to the pleasure of their teeming fanbase.
Yet, for all their successes of recent, their weaknesses are obvious. And these weaknesses have caused them to lose their leadership at the top of the table to rivals and neighbours Manchester City. After the men from the Etihad beat Sheffield United earlier on Saturday to stretch the gap at the top, United were expected to run over a weakened Arsenal side to close the widening, but they fell short.
The reason they could not do that, comes down to weak links in the current squad setup of Solskjaer. The earlier loopholes like the positioning of defenders like Aaron Wan-Bissaka is sorted out, the quicker a weakness in the back can be addressed. And, it cannot be soon enough.
Then, there is the most glaring of all other weaknesses in the frontline. No other match was it more obvious than against the Gunners on Saturday. The fact is clear: Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are not clinical enough in front of goal. And the same can be said of the more experienced Edinson Cavani, who was brought in as a veteran from whom the others can learn. He had no lessons for them against Arsenal.
There were six points on offer in United’s two most recent fixtures. Taking all, against the worst Premiership team on record that is Sheffield United, and against an Arsenal side lacking key players, could have assuredly propelled the Red Devils over City and placed them back on top of the table. But, Solskjaer’s charges could only muster enough to get one point of the six available.
One would not go as far as to conclude that this is the end of their title hopes because there is still much football to play but such slips have allowed a more enterprising Manchester City to become more comfortable at the top of the standings and create some breathing space with a three-point gap and a match in hand. To make it tougher, United did no defender business in the transfer window.
Their opponents, Arsenal, could have taken the lead with a little extra better finishing and good fortune. They coasted through the game without particularly being under pressure. Much of the threats they faced were well dealt with by some world class goalkeeping from their reliable German goalie Bernd Leno. A spectacular important save against Fred ensured United did not take the lead at the most decisive period of the game.
A win for the visitors, even in the absence of vital players as energetic Bukayo Saka, influential left back Keiran Tierney and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, could have been massive. Once regarded as relegation strugglers, an injection of youthful exuberance have seen Arsenal on a dogged climb. A win could have taken the Gunners as high as six in the league but they will have to settle temporarily at eighth.
The disappointment of dropping points at away from Old Trafford for United is only lessened by the fact that by not losing, the Red Devils set a new club record of 18 away Premier League games unbeaten. By preserving their fine run on the road, Solskjaer’s men break a record set by Alex Ferguson’s treble squad.
As cold a consolation as this might seem, the real issues stick out like a sore thumb for Solskjaer and United. A more clinical side could have picked holes in their defense all 90 minutes and their attack could still not have lived up to expectations leading to an embarrassing loss. If they still have title aspirations, it will be worth it to attend properly to these defense and final thirds.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
