Man Utd Must Start Taking Opportunities Afforded Them by Rivals if They Want to Show Progress
It's been a rough season so far for Manchester United fans, as they've seen the team continue in their inconsistency under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Red Devils have seen themselves knocked out of the Champions League at the group stages, and have only scored three home goals and won just once at the Theatre of Dreams. Despite that, Solskjaer's side currently sit in a reasonable position in the league, but that could be a false friend if they don't capitalise.
Before kick off in their game against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Thursday, United could sit a maximum of eight points off the top of the Premier League with two games in hand. At best, they could be six points behind the league leaders with two games in hand. Not bad for a side deemed to have been in crisis at several points throughout this campaign.
With Chelsea already dropping points with a defeat at Wolves, top-of-the-table Tottenham and Liverpool playing each other on Wednesday night, Southampton facing Arsenal and Leicester facing Everton, Manchester United will have a huge opportunity climb the standings.
However, this isn't the first time they've had such an opportunity under Solskjaer.
Since the Norwegian took over at the club, they have seen plenty of chances to capitalise slip past them because of their inconsistency.
At the back end of the 2018/19 season United failed to beat Arsenal, Wolves, Watford, Everton, Chelsea, Manchester City, Huddersfield and Cardiff in their final nine Premier League games of the season as they ended up missing out on a Champions League place by just five points.
The benefit of the doubt was given to the manager in that instance, because it wasn't his squad and the club had had such a poor season prior to his arrival.
Last season though, he had no excuses. Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, Manchester United blew chances to break into the top four with a 1-1 draw against Everton at Old Trafford, as well as a 2-0 defeat to Burnley at home.
Post-lockdown Manchester United were fighting for a Champions League place once again, and when there was little pressure on them, they managed to reel off four wins in a row to close the gap.
It was at that point where pressure mounted and expectation rose, as Chelsea and Leicester continued to drop points. Once again, Manchester United failed to take advantage and drew with Southampton. The same happened again just nine days later, when they were held at home by West Ham and had to take the race for the top four to the final day.
Ultimately they secured Champions League football in a game where they only needed a point against Leicester, but they made it difficult for themselves.
This season we've seen them crumble in the Champions League when pressure was on them and now the Premier League has offered it's hand again.
If Manchester United want to show progress under Solskjaer, they need to start taking these opportunities. They travel to take on a Blades side who have a single point in the Premier League this season from 12 games and have scored just five goals.
The Reds have a niggling habit of kickstarting poor teams' seasons, but they could not ask for a better opponent in this game; Chris Wilder's men will be desperate for points and perhaps forced to play a more expansive, open brand of football in search of goals - therefore leaving holes at the back.
Manchester United have pace, creativity and are undefeated in their last five Premier League games.
With the club adamant that they are backing Solskjaer in the long run, it's time for the team to start showing the fans some progress to justify his backing.