Image Source : GETTY IMAGES Premier League: Manchester United proceed to drop factors; held to goalless draw at Crystal Palace
The most grueling and intense Premier League season seems to be catching up with Manchester United’s misfiring gamers.
It might but value them a spot in subsequent season’s Champions League.
There had been worrying indicators in United’s third straight 0-0 draw, this time within the fog at Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Bruno Fernandes was sloppy in possession, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford exchanged indignant phrases within the second half and — perhaps most alarming of all — there was by no means any signal of the sort of late onslaught United groups down the years have been famend for.
Perhaps it’s no shock that United, which is now 14 factors behind Manchester City in what’s turning into a procession to the title, is operating out of steam.
Due to its involvement within the Europa League and going deep in each home cups, United has performed video games each midweek on this condensed, pandemic-affected season aside from throughout worldwide breaks. A final-16 double header in opposition to AC Milan within the Europa League is arising over the next two weeks, and earlier than {that a} Manchester derby on Sunday.
No marvel vitality ranges appear to be down and there isn’t any attacking spark in Solskjaer’s facet.
“It’s been a long season,” Solskjaer mentioned after United’s sixth 0-0 draw within the league, probably the most of any staff this season.
There’s nonetheless 2 1/2 months left of it, greater than sufficient time for United to lose its spot within the Premier League’s high 4 if it isn’t cautious. The identical applies to third-place Leicester, which was held 1-1 at relegation-threatened Burnley on Wednesday and may additionally be feeling the results of an arduous season that has included a Europa League marketing campaign, too.
United and Leicester have received simply 5 of their final 16 league video games mixed and they’re giving their top-four rivals an enormous alternative to reel them in. West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton are all inside eight factors and have video games in hand, whereas Tottenham and Arsenal additional again shouldn’t be discounted now.
Leicester recovered from conceding a objective within the fourth minute to Matej Vydra, with Kelechi Iheanacho volleying within the equalizer within the thirty fourth.
Leicester supervisor Brendan Rodgers thought of it a good outcome given the harm issues in his squad, which is at the moment depriving him of attacking midfielders Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, Dennis Praet and Ayoze Perez, together with Jonny Evans and James Justin.
BATTLING BLADES
Sheffield United’s gamers aren’t leaving the Premier League with no combat.
Chris Wilder’s last-place staff held on after a 57th-minute pink card to veteran middle again Phil Jagielka to beat Aston Villa 1-0.
With 11 video games left, Sheffield United is 12 factors from security so securing a 3rd straight season within the high flight stays extremely unlikely.
The gamers aren’t giving up, although.
“We’re all still fighting for our future and for this club,” mentioned striker David McGoldrick, who scored the winner from shut vary within the thirtieth minute. “The saying is, ‘It’s not over until the fats girl sings.’ We’re all combating to the top.”
