Pranav Nair
Manchester United fans react as the club once again draws a blank against the big six
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cut a frustrated figure following the goalless stalemate against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The result saw Manchester City pull away further in what is increasingly becoming a one-horse race for the title. However, unless the Red Devils start beating the teams around them, there will always be a gap needing to be bridged.
United have played the big-six 7 times this season. We have scored just one goal in over 630 minutes of football against these teams. The lone strike too was a penalty by Bruno Fernandes against Tottenham at Old Trafford. A game we wound up losing 6-1.
The fact that we have been unable to break these teams from open play, despite many of them enjoying poor seasons, is troubling.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came out punching in the post-match presser yesterday. While one could argue that we should have had a penalty, it seems pretty ridiculous to blame a poor decision for our profligacy.
After all, we hardly looked like a team that was chasing the three points. Rather than a one off, it has become a trend when facing the top teams.
The fact that we are second is also down to the teams around us underperforming than us being the second-best team in the land. As long as our focus is to avoid defeat rather than to grab a win, we will constantly keep falling short of expectations.
The stat was not lost on United fans, who were livid at Solskjaer’s safety-first approach. We take a look at how some of them reacted below.
Fans livid as United shoot a blank once again against top six opposition
Ole celebrating a draw like it’s a win is embarrassing. It’s the one thing that irks me about his management. Prioritizing clean sheets over goals scored against rivals is scandalous for a @ManUtd manager to do.
— DW007 (@DWUnited7) February 28, 2021
*Manchester United have scored only one goal against the “big six” (Arsenal included) this season.*
— King👑Ryan (@ReezyBobbly) February 28, 2021
Penalty vs Spurs
Shut up Ole, shameless man
Manchester United has scored only one goal against the top 6, Penalty against Tottenham 6-1 thrashing
— Mkuu (@brynne_achoka) February 28, 2021
Manchester United have scored zero goals from open play all season against the top 6. That’s quite simply not good enough, just too content to not lose.
— EiF (@EiFSoccer) February 28, 2021
It doesn’t help when Ole comes out and gives a post match interview like the one he just did. Take accountability.
Manchester United have scored 1 goal against the ‘big 6’ sides this season, and it was in a 6-1 drubbing to spurs. ONE.
— King Laca (@lacyang) February 28, 2021
This is crazy but we’ve scored only one goal against the top 6 so far this season just one and that one was a penalty from Bruno against spurs on 1-6. OleOut ffs
— matchouze (@Couliba05794234) February 28, 2021
The one goal we scored wasn’t even from open play, so zero goals from open play against the so called big six
— GeorgeK VII 👑 (@GeorgeK_VII) February 28, 2021
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Manchester United lost 6-1 to Spurs in October. They’ve played 4.5 other matches against the big six Premier League teams and there’s been one goal scored in those games. They’re the most boring good team in the world.
— The Artist Formerly Known as @DanWeiner (@ReallyDanWeiner) February 28, 2021
If this 0-0 result holds for Manchester United, that’d be 6 games against the PL traditional top 6 clubs, with 0 goals scored… and one goal scored against Tottenham, was a penalty. No creativity… it’ll be a miracle if we hold onto top 4
— Beau T (@Beau_Mixmaster) February 28, 2021
We’ve now played Spurs, Arsenal (X2), City, Liverpool and Chelsea (X2) and scored one goal.. A penalty.
— _________ (@MUFChris24) February 28, 2021
Tells you everything about our manager’s bottle.
You don’t deserve to be the manager of Manchester United when you have the mentality of a relegation team. #MUFC #GGMU
