The manager of Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has ruled out the club from this season’s Premier League title race after a 3-3 draw with Everton on Saturday, February 6.
Manchester United were on the verge of beating the Merseyside club before defensive inconsistencies on the part of United’s players cost them the three points.
United took the lead as early as the first 24th minute of the game through Edison Cavani’s headed goal. At this point, it was looking like it was going to be a beautiful day for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his boys to grab the three maximum points.
To make it more interesting for United, the club’s talisman, Bruno Fernandes stepped up in the 45th minute to double United’s lead. The first half ended 2-0 at Old Trafford which was supposed to be a tall mountain for any opposing team to climb.
Contrary to expectation, the cruise control that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his boys were enjoying did not last for too long as Everton took the game to United in full force. The pressure from Carlo Ancelotti’s boys paid off in the 49th minute when Abdoulaye Doucoure took one goal back.
Before Manchester United’s players could wake up to the realization that the game has turned against them, Everton’s James Rodriguez scored the equalizer in the 52nd minute.
At that point, United knew there was a fire on the mountain and did everything possible to regain the lead. Their effort paid off in the 70th minute, thanks to Scott McTominay’s flicked header.
Unfortunately for Manchester United, McTominay’s goal proved not to be enough for the victory as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored in the additional 5th minute of the match to spoil the party for Solskjaer and his team.
The 3-3 scoreline did not allow Manchester United to equal the points of first-placed Manchester City that currently have 47 points in 21 games. The draw left United with 45 points in 23 league games. This means that if City win over Liverpool later today, City will be 5 points ahead of second-placed United.
Based on the fact that City still have two games in hand and already at the top of the league table, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that Manchester United can not fight for the league title this season.
Solskjaer said: “We’re not talking about winning titles. We’ve come a long way this team. We shouldn’t even be considered as title-chasers. That’s one for you [the media] – we’ve got to be better as a team and let’s see where we end up. Going forward, we need to stop conceding easy goals.
“They had three shots that hit between the goals and they scored three goals. It’s disappointing. And when it’s in the last minute of added time it’s very disappointing. I wouldn’t blame anyone on the goals but we know we can defend better.”
🗣 | "Fantastic spirit. Fantastic attitude. They didn't lose the ambition to get a result."
— Everton (@Everton) February 6, 2021
A proud @MrAncelotti dissects #MUNEVE. pic.twitter.com/C425JLuUDb
Manchester United’s next Premier League match is against relegation-threatened West Brom. The away match is scheduled for February 14, 2021, at 15:00.
