Manchester United fans expect a club their size to win a trophy sooner rather than later, ESPN senior writer Mark Ogden says ahead of the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals in Leicester City on Sunday.
– Mark Ogden, Senior Writer at ESPN, offers a special preview of Manchester United
– The Red Devils visit the King Power Stadium in the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup on Sunday
– Ogden believes Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side will always be under pressure to win trophies
– United has not lifted any large cutlery in just under four years
United’s last great honor was given in 2017 in the UEFA Europa League under the direction of José Mourinho. While Ole Gunnar Solskjær has improved his performance in the Premier League, the Norwegian still has to take a piece of silver with the Old Trafford team.
The FA Cup offers the 20-time English champion an opportunity to end a four-year trophyless break. However, you must first beat a team from Leicester determined to seal the club’s first triumph in the competition.
In front The match on Sunday at King Power Stadium, Ogden spoke to LCFC television Host Dan Bates will preview the last eight games and share his thoughts on the Red Devils 2020/21 campaign so far.
“Both are doing well in the league,” he said earlier this week. “I don’t think they’ll win the league either. Leicester hasn’t won anything since the 2016 Premier League, and United haven’t won in four years, and have only won three trophies since Sir Alex Ferguson’s time.
“They are both almost established top four clubs and both want to play in the Champions League next season. However, if you finish second or third and don’t win a trophy, you may be missing one this season.” a little stardust.
“Both clubs will win this game and aim to advance to the semi-finals. So it’s a very big game. Ole Gunnar Solskjær spoke earlier this week that trophies are not that important, but Manchester United are a club.” built on winning trophies.
“Every season Manchester United have to win a trophy. You have to win something. I think Solskjær’s argument was that if you are in the FA Cup or the Europa League it doesn’t show that you are making progress.” We saw Arsenal win trophies and not make progress in the league.
“It’s all about winning trophies. If you’re Manchester United and you’re not winning trophies and Manchester City and Liverpool are like they are before, it’s even worse.
“Of course they have to win a trophy. Four years without one is a very long time for Manchester United. They have to win that first and then they hope they can build it into something bigger like the Champions League or the Champions League.” Premier League.
“They are still a long way from that. So you have to take what you can and the FA Cup is a great opportunity to win something.”
While United was in Italy on Thursday evening to play a Europa League draw with AC Milan that ended in a 1-0 win, City benefited from a full week of preparation at the club’s new state-of-the-art training facility in Seagrave, North Leicestershire.
Ogden says this will certainly have been a boost for the Foxes, although he believes United will still arrive at Leicester on Sunday to seriously challenge the city’s FA Cup ambitions.
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Marcus Rashford
Not only have the Red Devils tightened things up in the background, but they also have an abundance of attacking talents, including Englishman Marcus Rashford.
“It will certainly help Leicester as well Brendan Rodgers“, he added.” It gives them the opportunity to have a week off to exercise, get the players fit and rest them.
“No players have rested much this season, so if you can have an easier week of training they should fly on Sunday. That should work in Leicester’s favor.”
“We saw last season that Leicester was out of steam and it cost them a place in the top 4. Leaving the Europa League could help them qualify for the Champions League. In the long run it could be.” a good thing for Leicester.
“I think Manchester United have a lot of time to recover in this game. There are 72 hours between kick-off games but of course they flew to Italy and had to play an extra game. Leicester didn’t have that.” and it’s also a home game for Leicester.
“For me, in terms of fitness and freshness, everything indicates that Leicester has an advantage.”
While Solskjær finished third in the Premier League last season, the highest since Mourinho finished second in 2017/18, there is some debate among United fans about the progress being made in Manchester, according to Ogden.
“There’s a real split between the fans,” he explained. “I wouldn’t say they’re challenging again but they’re back in the top four but it’s also frustrating that where they are at the table they actually mask where they are as a club.
“There are a lot of gaps that need to be filled in this team right now. There are a lot of positions that don’t quite look like they are done and they are far from Manchester United. The fans are frustrated that there is no real feeling for where this team will end up.
“They have had some good results this season, they are second in the league, but when it comes to playing against the big teams – apart from Manchester City lately – they have a terrible record this season. It is progress, but very slow progress.
“United fans now want to see a little more progress when it comes to beating the big teams and fighting for the top trophies, but progress is so slow that I think there are fans who are starting to believe “We could use a better coach.” better system, better tactics.
“But you can’t change Solskjær now because he made her better, albeit slowly.”
In the Premier League, Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes has scored 16 goals and 10 assists this season – and Ogden says United would be a very different side without the former Sporting Lisbon man.
On the defensive, there are signs of the Red Devils improving. Luke Shaw does an admirable performance at left-back and goalkeeper Dean Henderson is fighting for the first team.
“If you were to take Bruno Fernandes off this team, it would have been very bleak for Manchester United for the past 12 months,” Ogden continued. “He creates goals, he scores goals, he gives the team energy and desire, he has a winning mentality.
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Bruno Fernandes
Former Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes has turned United as an attack threat.
“Fernandes could easily have worked his way into a Sir Alex Ferguson team. Manchester United need more players like Bruno Fernandes, that’s the thing.
“He has given Manchester United a massive boost. He would be the first player at Old Trafford to say ‘we have to win a trophy’ and he will see the FA Cup as the best chance for that.
“Luke Shaw had a great season. I think Alex Telles gave him the competition he needed, but Harry Maguire also had a decent season. I think he lacks a great partner. I don’t think Victor Lindelöf or Eric Bailly are the answer.
“Aaron Wan-Bissaka has had a mixed season, he’s good defensively but very badly going forward, so there are areas that can be improved, but they’ve tightened at the back and I think Dean Henderson has in that first team get a chance. ” did that help.
“He gave the back four a little more communication than David De Gea, who made some costly mistakes this season. They look a lot sharper and tighter on the defensive but there is still room for improvement.”
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