The sector of Manchester United fans at the Etihad for the second leg of the semifinal in the Carabao Cup probably didn't went in with a lot of hope that the team would go through, that's what happens when you suffer an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at home, the score actually didn't do much distance to the superiority of Manchester City, Guardiola's men dominated that match and United only scored at the end when City had already taken their foot off the gas, despite their slim chances, Solskjaer's side grinded out a 1-0 win that wasn't enough to get them through to the final, but that's not what I want to discuss.
Right now, January 2020, the gap between these two Manchester clubs is so big that United should stop everything that they are doing and reevaluate it all, and don't give me the money argument, United even with all this mediocrity post Alex Ferguson is still the most valuable club in England, they certainly have more money than Liverpool. A down season by City like the one they are having this year is something every United fan would do anything to get. The gap in quality between the two is also enormous, the same goes for the manager, it's all too big.
Think about this, imagine the greatest possible outcome for United in a match against City, now do the opposite.
The best United can hope for is to get City on some counters, Martial and Rashford being clinical, Lingard on the bench and enough stability to hang on at the end. Remember the last time they played at the Etihad, United won 2-1 and in that match you couldn't ask for a better scenario, City struggling massively to drop back and defend once United caught them in transition, as many chances as one can get playing that way, City didn't really create much for large portions of the game, it was as superior as United had been against City since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and they still only won 2-1 enduring a lot of pressure in the final minutes of play.
The best City can hope for against their rivals is a completely dominant performance like anyone of the many Guardiola has had since joining the Citizens, the first leg of the semifinal for instance, it wasn't even close.
Can you see Manchester United competing for the Premier League title in the next 3 years?
The answer is an obvious no and there is something very wrong with that.
It's hard for me to say you should fire Solskjaer immediately, but the thing is if it was me making the decisions, I wouldn't have hired him permanently before the end of last season.
The worst thing for a manager is being backed by the board, because one it usually doesn't mean a lot and two if it happens you are probably struggling, they need to show and execute a plan with signings and a vision of what this team will be in the near future, clarification on the Pogba situation, a proven goalscorer because as much as I am a fan of Martial, he is not that guy, neither is Rashford, both should benefit from an addition.
The road will be tough especially in a league so competitive with powerhouses like Liverpool and City, but United has all the tools to get there it is simply a matter of execution, less mistakes, more efficiency.
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Feel free to comment and leave out your thoughts, I'll responde everybody and hopefully we can have some nice conversations.
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