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Solskjaer even more in the crosshairs
After a flattering victory (3-0) at Tottenham and a last-minute draw against Atalanta (2-2) in the Champions League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer again seems in the hot seat after a disastrous performance by his team in the derby.
A porous and feverish defense, a laborious attack and without idea, there is really nothing to save from the Red Devils on Saturday, who find themselves dropped in the standings.
With 17 points, they can probably definitely put aside any title dream, nine lengths behind Chelsea, six points behind City, and five behind Liverpool, who play at West Ham on Sunday.
Comparing them to these three teams well in their boots, with coaches with clear ideas, even seems totally incongruous.
"It's very difficult to talk about it because we started the game badly. We were passive, (our opponents) played well," said Solskjaer after the match. "They left no opportunity to get the ball back. was not at our level and we must raise our level of requirement. "
Manchester United's Norwegian coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, during the home derby against Manchester City on Matchday 11 of the Premier League on November 6 at Old Trafford Stadium Oli SCARFF AFP
Archi-dominated the whole match, they even found a way to offer both goals to their opponent.
They came from Joao Cancelo's crosses: the first deflected in his goal by Eric Bailly (1-0, 7th), the second that Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire let slip to Bernardo Silva, who threw himself aggressively to slide the ball between David de Gea, not flawless either, and his post (2-0, 45th + 1).
The joy of Portuguese Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva (2nd l), scorer of the 2nd goal against Manchester United, beaten at home 2-0 in the derby, on November 6 at Old Trafford Stadium Oli SCARFF AFP
Difficult to overwhelm the Spanish goalkeeper, however, he who kept his team in contact with reflex parades against Gabriel Jesus (29th) and his partner Victor Lindelof, on the verge of scoring also against his camp (33rd).
On the offensive side too, with the exception of a volley from Cristiano Ronaldo rejected by Ederson (26th), it was the great desert in the animation as in the intentions.
An observation that can not last when players like Donny van de Beek or Jadon Sancho, on whom the club has invested a lot of money, shine the bench.
The injuries of Raphaël Varane, the inconstancy of Paul Pogba, the persistent mishap of internationals Harry Maguire or Luke Shaw, as washed out by their Euro this summer, have nothing to do with Solskjaer.
But the only thing that seems to really save him right now - for how long?
- is the lack of a credible replacement, after Tottenham hired Antonio Conte a few days ago.
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Chelsea sticks out her tongue
Undoubtedly worn out by the accumulation of matches, Chelsea let slip two points at the end of the match against the relegation Burnley (1-1).
Still diminished in attack, without Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, the Blues had still managed to take the advantage by Kai Havertz, from the head (1-0, 33rd).
But over the second half, Burnley, who never gave up, approached the goal and ended up being rewarded for his efforts with a beautiful goal from Matej Vydra (1-1, 79th).
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho (l), battling Burnley defender Matthew Lowton, watched by German midfielder Kai Havertz on Matchday 11 of the Premier League on November 6, 2021 at Stamford Stadium Bridge Tolga Akmen AFP
It was the first goal conceded by the Blues in league play this season, which will be West Ham's first supporters against Liverpool on Sunday.
In the other matches of the afternoon, Norwich temporarily left the place of red lantern to Newcastle, which plays in Brighton in the evening, by going to win in Brentford (2-1).
Crystal Palace defeated Wolverhampton (2-0), a second success in a row for Patrick Vieira's men after the victory at Manchester City last week, by the same score.
© 2021 AFP