LONDON • The silence that greeted Manchester United's dire 1-1 draw with relegated Huddersfield was a powerful, voiceless protest that underlined why they need a clear-out in the dressing room and a change of culture in the boardroom.
When the players were needed to fight for the right to play Champions League football, they froze.
When United played with belief and pace to overwhelm Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on March 6 to reach the quarter-finals, all appeared well.
They have won only twice in 11 games since, and Sunday's collapse and failure to secure a top-four spot places substantial question marks against their character.
Paul Pogba is the key because when in the mood, the World Cup winner can impose his sumptuous skills to match-winning effect.
But, when the France midfielder is not in the mood, on or off the pitch, he can drag everyone down.
So Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a decision to make - convince Pogba to deliver excellence more consistently, or cut his losses and sell him to suitors Real Madrid.
Such is his undeniable talent that the United manager would clearly prefer him to stay, but only if fully committed. Suitable replacements will be hard to find, though, especially as United cannot offer Champions League football.
Â
Â
Yet one thing is for sure - the squad will be culled in the summer.
In the aftermath of the game at the John Smith's Stadium, Solskjaer said: "I can't talk about individuals now, but there's a chance you've seen the last of players. There's always a chance, but I would not say that about any individual."
The appointment of a director of football in the close season should help him to identify viable targets as the club embarks on the overhaul process, with Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian all set to leave.
However, it remains to be seen how much time and resources the Norwegian will be given to revamp the squad in his own image, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp already predicting "the scale of the job could be too big for him".
He told the Daily Mail: "Solskjaer has been entrusted with one of the biggest brands in world sport.
"Regardless of the size of the task at hand, he will be under immense pressure should United be several points off the pace and languishing in sixth place again come October."
THE TIMES, LONDON
Napoli draw puts Juventus coronation on hold 08/04/2019 Oman Observer Milan: Napoli drew 1-1 with ten-man Genoa on Sunday to ensure that Juventus will have to wait another week to seal an eighth consecutive Serie A title.
Football: Napoli draw puts Juve coronation on hold, Football
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has completed his move to Monaco. Fabregas will move to Monaco without a fee for now, as Chelsea will be paid via bonuses depending on the Fabregas's
Chelsea make Cesc Fabregas wait to complete Monaco move as
Football: Everton dish out 4-0 thrashing to awful Manchester United to dim their top-four EPL hopes (REUTERS) - A woeful Manchester United suffered their fifth straight away defeat, in all competitions, with a 4-0 English Premier League hammering at the hands of a vibrant Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday (April 21).
Richarlison de Andrade #30 News, Stats, Photos - Everton
Football: Hougang United lose two-goal lead twice to draw 3-3 with 10-man Tampines Rovers SINGAPORE - Two months ago, Tampines Rovers had beaten Hougang United 5-1 at Jalan Besar Stadium on March 3 when Hougang midfielder Justin Hui was sent off in the 50th minute.
Heartbreak for Hougang again, Football News & Top Stories
Qatar coach Felix Sanchez has vowed to "isolate" his players from politics at the Asian Cup, which is taking place in the United Arab Emirates during a diplomatic crisis between the countries.
Qatar Coach to 'Isolate' Team from Gulf Politics at AFC Asian
Portland blaze Denver to make bow in series DENVER • Portland coach Terry Stotts paid tribute to the team's video coordinator, Jonathan Yim, who was seriously injured in a car crash with his family last week, after the Trail Blazers beat the Denver Nuggets 97-90 to tie their Western Conference semi-finals at one game apiece.
Portland blaze Denver to make bow in series - stillmannews.com
stillmannews.com/2019/05/04/portland-blaze-denver-to-make-bow-in-series/
DENVER-After giving up 39 points to Damian Lillard in the opener, the Denver Nuggets were determined to make sure Portland's role players would have to bear the burden of evening up the series. Ruby Walsh on quitting: "I didn't want the long farewell" Walsh burst on to the scene when winning the 2000 Grand National on Papillon, trained by his
NBA Playoffs 2019: Portland Trail Blazers hold off Denver
Paul Pogba Strikes Twice as Man Utd Win on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Home Debut After a resounding 5-1 victory at Cardiff, in his first game since replacing Jose Mourinho at the weekend, Solskjaer saw his team make it six points in five days over the Christmas period.
Paul Pogba strikes twice as Manchester United win on Ole
Qatar will not take a decision on whether to expand its 2022 World Cup to 48 teams from 32 until it has seen the details of a feasibility study from FIFA, an official from the country's World Cup organising committee said on Monday.
FIFA scraps proposal to expand 2022 World Cup to 48 teams
SINGAPORE - Ikhsan Fandi's rich vein of scoring form continues as the Singapore striker found the net in his third consecutive match for second-tier Norwegian club Raufoss IL in just 11 days. On Wednesday (May 22), the 20-year-old opened the scoring at third-tier Fram Larvik in the 33rd minute of the second-round Norwegian Football Cup tie.
WATCH: Singapore's Ikhsan Fandi scores again for Raufoss IL
LONDON (Reuters) - Premier League leaders Manchester City recovered from two goals down to beat Championship side Swansea City 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday to progress to the FA Cup semi
Emery urges consistency during season's final straight
Madrid, Nov 10 (IANS) Real Madrid's interim coach, Santiago Solari, on Saturday praised Welsh forward Gareth Bale while calling for patience with Spanish midfielder Isco Alarcon, who has yet to
Solari remains defiant as Real go out | ClubCall.com
Pep Guardiola believes playing Manchester United at Old Trafford is no longer scary for Manchester City. City struggled for results at the home of their local rivals before Sheikh Mansour's
Old Trafford holds no fears for Guardiola - sports.yahoo.com
Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 First Leg - Liverpool v Bayern Munich - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 19, 2019 Liverpool's Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho in action
Solid and smart Bayern hold Liverpool at Anfield - Reuters
0 comments:
Post a Comment