Manchester United were brilliant in their fifth-round match against Chelsea in the FA Cup as they came out 2-0 winners. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his side took full advantage of Chelsea’s recent problems as Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba notched up a goal apiece to help their side advance to the next round in the cup competition.
The Red Devils have been in exceptional form since Solskjaer has taken charge at Old Trafford. The Norwegian gaffer has transformed the side into one who have started to believe in themselves. The effect is showing on the pitch as United have lost only once in all competitions since December.
Manchester United are currently in the fourth position in the Premier League table and are fighting to keep their place in the top four until the end of the season.
In the Champions League, the Red Devils have already faced a huge setback in the first leg of the round of 16 match against Paris Saint Germain as the Ligue 1 champions have taken a formidable 0-2 lead in the tie. It will take a special performance from Ole’s boys to make it to the next round in the elite club competition as they are set to face PSG in their own backyard in the return leg.
Now we come to the most realistic chance that United have this season to win silverware and that is the FA Cup. Let’s look at three reasons why the Red Devils will win this tournament.
MANCHESTER UNITED’S RECENT FORM
The Red Devils have been in brilliant form since December, as mentioned earlier. They have not lost a single match after Solskjaer took charge at Old Trafford on the domestic front and that might be the biggest driving factor for them as they look to go all the way in the FA Cup. The likes of Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford have been phenomenal for the Red Devils, and with the momentum they have gathered, it will take a special effort for any team to stop them.
MANCHESTER CITY- THE ONLY HURDLE
None of the big six in the Premier League barring Manchester City is alive in the competition. United’s next opponents are Wolves, and Ole will back his team to prevail over the Premier League newcomers, but at the same time, Manchester City are also favourites to see off Swansea City.
But what might work in United’s favour right now is that City are still competing on all four fronts. The Premier League race looks destined to go down to the wire while they are also in the Carabao Cup final. The Champions League is also a priority for Pep, and hence there is every chance for a fixture pileup and the possibility of the need arising to prioritise in the coming weeks.
This will certainly give United an advantage in the latter stages of the competition.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER’S AMBITION TO BECOME PERMANENT MANAGER
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has repeatedly stressed on his desire to become the next permanent Manchester United manager. He has come up with the results needed to back his cause, and he has ensured it is done in a manner which is quintessentially considered the ”United way”. He has given his attacking players the freedom to express themselves and has brought about a change in mentality as well at Old Trafford.
But just a top 4 finish might not be enough to bag the job and United’s loss against PSG signals to a possible premature end to their hopes of an unlikely UCL trophy. Hence, the FA Cup presents itself as their likeliest route to silverware and Ole will make sure United give more than 100% every time they step on the field in this competition.
