This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Speaking ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Everton on Sunday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted there won’t be a repeat of the “shambles” they produced at Goodison Park last season.
What did he say?
In a truly chastening afternoon, the Red Devils were hammered 4-0 by the Toffees away from home. The performance and result led to Solskjaer apologising after game, admitting that it “not worthy” of a United team.
But with the club now arriving at Old Trafford on Sunday on the back of three successive victories – including against Tottenham and Manchester City – the United boss insisted those days of the side crumbling are now long gone.
He said (as quoted by Sky Sports): “We just need to keep doing what we’re doing and keep developing this team, keep sticking to what we believe in and improving every day – then I believe the results will come. We lost quite clearly against Everton last year. I think we’ve spoke enough about what happened that day and how it was more or less a shambles, but I’ve said too many times this year we are not going to be that group anymore.
“This is a different group, this is a group that is ready for the fight and is ready for the football.”
Proof is in the pudding
Whilst the Red Devils are right to be in upbeat mood following an incredibly successful week on the pitch, their woes this season have come against the sides they have been expected to beat. The likes of Crystal Palace, Newcastle and Bournemouth have all inflicted defeat on Solskjaer’s side, and so whilst the Norwegian can publicly declare his team has “changed”, the results clearly haven’t shown that.
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The game against the Toffees on Sunday gives them a perfect chance to add to their new-found momentum, but also prove that they are fully capable of turning up for the games that don’t involve their fellow ‘big-six’ rivals.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans have been hailing this ace for his performance against AZ Alkmaar.
