The manager of Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has declared readiness to take on the reigning Premier League champions, Liverpool after leading United to the top of the league table for the first time in 8 years.
On Tuesday, January 12, Manchester United had the opportunity to have a taste of the first spot on the league table for the first time this season after beating Burnley 1-0 away at Turf Moor.
United’s midfielder Paul Pogba was the savior of the visitors as he scored a deflected valley in the 71st minute of the match to maintain United’s 15 away games unbeaten run.
๐ฌ All the action from Tuesday's battle at Burnley ๐
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2021
๐ด #MUFC
#๏ธโฃ #BURMUN
๐ #PL pic.twitter.com/61xmY5YYlq
Pogba’s goal broke the jinx Manchester United have been faced with since the 2012-2013 season. In the aforementioned season, Sir Alex Ferguson led United to the top of the league table and won the league title with the club before he retired. Since then, the club has not been able to top the league table.
๐๐ผ๐๐๐โ ๐๐๐น ๐ป๐โ๐ผ! โ๐พ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/UTfXpHglC5
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) January 13, 2021
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has helped Manchester United to break that jinx after two attempts with the club. Before he came, Manchester United have tried three managers – David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, and Jose Mourinho, none of them were able to take the club that far in the league.
Now, Solskjaer’s Premier League title credentials will be tested when he leads Manchester United to Anfield to play Liverpool on Sunday, January 17, at 17:30. Liverpool is currently second on the league table with 33 points in 17 league games which means that a defeat at the hands of Manchester United will keep them 6 points away from the first spot.
Though it is still early to call the game a title decider, the game will go a long way to determine the club that is a more serious title contender between the two sides. If Liverpool win, the club will return to the top of the league table due to superior goals difference.
“It’s a brilliant position to be in,” Solskjaer told Sky Sports after Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Burnley. “Of course we know we’re going to the champions who have had an unbelievable three-and-a-half-seasons, we know it’s going to be a difficult game for us, but we are ready for it.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better time to play them because we are in good shape, good form, and hungry, which is a good thing because these boys want to get better and that’s the test of their character and quality.”
In his post-match press conference, Solskjaer added: “We’re looking forward to it. Of course, we enjoy being where we are [at the top of the league] at any time, be that the first game or the last game, which is a big, big difference.
“We’re looking forward to it, it’s a great test of where we’re at against a good team. We’re almost halfway through the season so it’s a little bit of an indication of where you’re at, but no one will remember the league table on January 12.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who have been the manager of Manchester United since 2018 is still seeking his first title at the club. This season could be his season if Manchester United can maintain their current shape and form especially when they face clubs like Liverpool and Manchester City, the two major title contenders for the 2020-2021 season.
