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United’s defeat to Aston Villa means they’ve now lost three of their last four games and pressure is beginning to mount on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Meanwhile, an academy graduate is taking his chance to impress on loan and Villarreal head into their Champions League clash with United full of confidence after their game with Real Madrid…
Solskjaer under pressure
There’s real pressure on Solskjaer to deliver trophies this season at Old Trafford, though United have struggled of late.
There’s a genuine sense of optimism that United will be able to overcome their poor run of form with a win against Villarreal on Wednesday, but that hasn’t stopped some pundits from taking a dig at Solskjaer.
Jamie O’Hara has told TalkSPORT that United’s manager needs to be sacked if the club are to compete for silverware this season.
He said on the Morning Breakfast Show : “It [the Villa loss] just shows how wrong United are getting this with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They keep sticking by him and they’re just not ruthless enough. Look at their squad. [Bruno] Fernandes, [Edinson] Cavani, [Paul] Pogba, [Cristiano] Ronaldo. You look at this squad and you think ‘this team has to be challenging for the title’.
“But they’re not going to be challenging because they can’t win at home. The manager just isn’t good enough. Be ruthless. Cut ties, like Chelsea did with [Frank] Lampard, be ruthless and go and win something because they’re not going to do it.”
Villarreal hold Real Madrid
United will look to earn their first Champions League win of the season at home to Villarreal this week. Chelsea’s Super Cup win over Unai Emery’s men is the only time Villarreal have lost this season, and they should head into the game full of confidence after their weekend clash with Real Madrid.
They held Carlo Ancelotti’s side to a 0-0 draw on Saturday, enjoying 51% possession and matching the home side’s tally for shots on target.
Wednesday’s clash is arguably one of the most important games of the season for United as they look to get back to winning ways, and Solskjaer’s side will have to be at their best to overcome the La Liga outfit.
Dylan Levitt shines for Dundee United
There are plenty of United academy graduates impressing while away from Old Trafford on loan, and one youngster who had a great game at the weekend is Dylan Levitt.
The 20-year-old secured a temporary switch to Dundee United recently and he impressed during Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Celtic.
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Levitt’s teammate Peter Pawlett praised the youngster’s performance, telling The Courier : “There was one pass in particular near the end of the game that amazed me. It was like a half-volley and Dylan put it out wide. I was on the bench and I was just clapping it. It was unbelievable.
“He’s got that technical ability. He’s at Manchester United, he’s got real quality and it’s great to have him at our club. He was brilliant for us. He gives us a calmness on the ball.”
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