Solskjaer surrenders! Gloomy Ole removes Manchester United title hopes as his team drops crucial points against Everton after a drama at Old Trafford
- Manchester United’s title hopes took a hit after the dramatic draw with Everton
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team was on track to tie on points with City
- But Dominic Calvert-Lewin was caught offside by a part of the booty
- Solskjaer effectively overturned United’s title credentials after the evenly matched afternoon
Harry Maguire consulted with referee Jon Moss to confirm whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s last-second tie would hold and, in fact, there was no time left on the clock, before roaring an explet in the cold night air. Manchester United started again and Moss blew the final whistle.
Maguire’s feeling will have been shared by everyone associated with United. It was a painful draw that looked like a defeat.
But was it a fatal blow to United’s hopes of winning the Premier League? Not yet. Curtains for a club that has had so many battles for the title to the last? Hardly.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer canceled out Manchester United’s title chances after a draw with Everton
It was a rare day for the fans to hear from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who seemed unable to keep up with the other players.
The United manager has been trying to manage expectations around Old Trafford for the past few weeks and this is perhaps understandable. But that meant a slowdown.
“We’re not talking about winning titles,” Solskjaer said. “We’ve come a long way in this team and we shouldn’t have been considered title contenders.”
Why not? Manchester City is the clear favorite, but United is their closest rival in this strange season that has opened up so many possibilities.
Harry Maguire was left in the lurch after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s dramatic late draw
We’re only in February and no one is winning the title now, as Solskjaer has said. If United had held out for a few more seconds, they would have secured a joint position with City after playing two more games.
The manager has been at the helm for more than two years and appointed a day-long squad against Everton that cost close to £ 600 million. If the United States is no longer a candidate for the title, perhaps it should be.
They are clearly moving forward with Solskjaer and, if there is still the slightest hope of challenging the title a little earlier than I expected, why not take it? There are no guarantees that City will be weaker next season and Liverpool will certainly not be.
United were on the verge of a draw with City before Calvert-Lewin saw them drop two points
Roy Keane has already suggested that his old club are “afraid” to take on a title challenge, and Sportsmail expert Jamie Redknapp also believes United should have more conviction.
“You won’t have any more opportunities,” Redknapp said. ‘This United team should believe. This is the year when everything is possible. They’re not kids, are they? They are full of experience. I should tell this team – think you can do it. City is by far the best team, but they may have a moment.
United have an attack to equal any of the Premier League and were excellent on the 63rd anniversary of the Munich air disaster.
United have an attack to equal any in the league and went well against Everton
Marcus Rashford gave Edinson Cavani a great chance to score, but Bruno Fernandes was able to block. 2 – 2!
But they were unfortunate on defense and Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez hit twice in the space of four minutes after the break. Scott McTominay headed in United, but Calvert-Lewin equalized in the 95th minute.
It emerged from a free kick awarded by United substitute Axel Tuanzebe, who revealed that he has been the subject of racist abuse for the second time in recent weeks.
The protagonist is again David de Gea after being criticized for his role in two goals for Everton
David de Gea was criticized for making a weak attempt to block Calvert-Lewin after pushing the ball straight into Doucoure for Everton’s first.
Dean Henderson is likely to be in the goal of Tuesday night’s FA Cup draw against West Ham and, not for the first time, Solskjaer was asked about De Gea’s position, replying: “All players must earn their place. We are a competitive squad and that applies to all team members. “
Everton face Tottenham in the Goodison Park Cup on Wednesday and Carlo Ancelotti has been delighted with another excellent result away from home. Wow! What a game, amazing! Fantastic excitement, ”said the Italian, who received a bear hug from his retired assistant Duncan Ferguson after the dramatic late draw.
