Manchester United have shown their big match prowess but it will count for nothing unless they can find a way to beat the smaller Premier League teams.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side followed up back-to-back draws against the promoted sides Sheffield United and Aston Villa with two impressive wins against Champions League finalists Tottenham Hotspur and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.
The recent results have seen United rise to fifth place, 5 points behind Chelsea, who currently occupy the final Champions League place.
Favourable run of fixtures
United’s next four matches are against Everton, Watford, Newcastle United and Burnley.
On paper fans would think that would be a guaranteed 12 points with Newcastle, who are currently 11th being the highest placed side we will come up against.
However, out of United’s 24 points from 16 games, 16 have come against sides in the top half of the table. Ten points have come from the top four.
The only team the Red Devils have lost against in the top half was against Crystal Palace in the third game of the season.
The only wins that we have got against teams in the bottom half have come against Brighton and Norwich City. Two teams that adopted an attacking and adventurous approach, which allowed United’s pacey forward line to punish them on the break.
What needs to change
Solskjaer will be hoping to start 2020 away to Arsenal off the back of 6 consecutive Premier League wins.
That would be the perfect springboard for United to unleash a second half of the season charge on the Champions League places.
But United have got to find the solution to breaking teams down who set up in a compact deep shape and don’t give the likes of Dan James, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial space to work their magic.
There is no excuse for a lack of confidence, the dressing room will be buzzing after the recent victories.
The main difference has to be the team’s mentality, United don’t have the right to be arrogant and complacent in the games they are expected to win.
If it was Manchester City or Liverpool having regular off days against teams they were expected to comfortably beat, there could be a case for lack of motivation due to them becoming so accustomed to winning matches.
That is the next challenge for Solskjaer, if he can change United’s fortunes against the smaller sides, United’s chances of getting in the top four will be significantly bolstered.
If United win their next four leagues, it could be argued due to the trials and tribulations we have had earlier in the season, that those four wins could be more impressive then the wins against City and Spurs.
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