Man Utd boss Solskjaer slammed for ‘waving the white flag’ after Man City title admission

Premier League: How is title race shaping up?

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.

Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards has urged Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to avoid ‘waving the white flag’ in the race for this season’s Premier League title. The Red Devils stormed to the summit of the table in December and January, embarking on a 13-game unbeaten run to snatch top spot, but have since been pegged back by local rivals and current league leaders City.

United now find themselves in second place, five points behind Pep Guardiola’s side, who have the added benefit of a game in hand.

The club’s latest blow was delivered in the dying seconds of Saturday’s draw with Everton when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s last-gasp equaliser prevented the hosts from claiming a valuable three points.

The result prompted Solskjaer to dismiss his side’s chances of claiming the Premier League title at the end of the season.

“We’re not talking about winning titles,” he said after the final whistle. “We’ve come a long way, this team, and we shouldn’t have been considered as title contenders.”

The Norwegian manager’s comments show a marked difference from the mentality of Sir Alex Ferguson’s United, with the Scot working tirelessly to establish his side as one of the most dominant teams of the Premier League era.

JUST IN: Man Utd boss Solskjaer gives Pogba injury update ahead of West Brom

This is a view shared by Richards, who has urged Solskjaer to reconsider his claims and take a leaf from Ferguson’s book.

“Excuses were never part of that culture, but now it feels like they make excuses all the time if something goes wrong,” Richards told the Daily Mail.

“Reds will dismiss me as a ‘Bitter Blue’ for raising this but, believe me, I’ve nothing but the greatest respect for their club. When Solskjaer was getting criticism at the beginning of the season, I stuck up for him.

“When they have had big victories or their players have done well, I’ve always been positive about them. I raise the point now because Solskjaer’s words were so surprising.

“How can Manchester United not be considered title contenders? This is Manchester United! They are five points behind City with 15 games to go. The teams play each other at the Etihad Stadium in three weeks.

“Anything is possible in this most unusual season. Why wave the white flag now? It’s not the United way to concede.”

Although the Red Devils have been impressive for much of the campaign, they have struggled to pick up important results in games that were pivotal to their title chances.

Richards continued, bemoaning Solskjaer’s inability to deliver in high-pressure situations, such as the goalless draw at Anfield last month in which a depleted Liverpool side were there for the taking.

“I said that day they would not win the title playing in such a way and I stick to it,” added Richards. “Liverpool were vulnerable and had players missing.

“Anfield was empty — arguably no other stadium in the country has been so dramatically changed by no fans — and the opportunity was there for United to take advantage.

“City took advantage last weekend, pouncing when they saw the opening appear. United, if they truly believed, could have done the same but they were too passive.

“Looking at that match again, it makes Solskjaer’s admission after the draw with Everton feel even more significant.”

Solskjaer and United will be hoping for a return to winning ways on Sunday, with a trip to strugglers West Bromwich Albion on the horizon before their Champions League round of 16 clash with Real Sociedad on Thursday.

Source: Read Full Article