Liverpool: Manchester United’s hopes of Champions League football next season suffered another huge blow as Everton romped to a 4-0 win at Goodison Park on Sunday.
A sixth defeat in eight games in all competitions for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men means they remain two points adrift of the top four in sixth. Everton, chasing seventh, which could provide a route into next season’s Europa League, made a flying start as Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson struck inside the first 28 minutes. Lucas Digne’s sweet strike and Theo Walcott’s goal completed Everton’s biggest win over United since 1984. United could easily fall five points off the Champions League places should Arsenal beat Crystal Palace at home later on Sunday and Chelsea win when they host Burnley on Monday. Solskjaer’s task in turning United’s fortunes around does not get any easier as title-chasing Manchester City visit Old Trafford on Wednesday. (AFP)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer questioned his players’ desire to play for Manchester United after a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Everton but immediately challenged them to prove him wrong in Wednesday’s derby meeting with Manchester City.United fell to a fifth successive away defeat, for the first time in 38 years, thanks to goals from Richarlison, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Lucas Digne and Theo Walcott. That led to an impassioned outburst from former United captain Gary Neville, who described the performance as “rancid” in his role as television pundit.
And, while Solskjaer was in wholehearted agreement with his former team mate, the United manager believes that facing title-chasing City at Old Trafford on Wednesday offers his under-achieving players the chance to atone as they continue their quest for a Champions League place.”Against City at Old Trafford on Wednesday, that’s the biggest incentive we can have,” said Solskjaer when asked how he could lift his players.
“Old Trafford at home, in front of our fantastic fans, they were unbelievable again and they never ever moaned at our players, which they could have, but they’ve been supportive and I’m sure they will be on Wednesday night.” (AFP)
