Surging United faces real test at Liverpool
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It is eight years since Manchester United sat at the top of the English Premier League at this stage of the season and while manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is steering clear of euphoria, there is clearly a sense that he has turned the corner with his team.
A 1-0 win at Burnley on Tuesday, ground out in freezing temperatures against awkward and physical opponents, put United three points clear at the top of the table ahead of Sunday鈥檚 clash with champion Liverpool at Anfield.
Alex Ferguson was still in charge of the club when it was top after 17 games in 2012 and in that season, his final at the club, United went on to win the title.
Whether Solskjaer鈥檚 side is capable of such an achievement is something of which many remain sceptical 鈥 and Sunday鈥檚 game should give a clue as to its chances 鈥 but even being in the title race is exceeding expectations.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a brilliant position to be in,鈥 said Solskjaer.
鈥淥f course we know we鈥檙e going to the champions, they鈥檝e had an unbelievable three and a half seasons so we know that鈥檚 going to be a difficult game for us but we鈥檙e ready for it.
鈥淚 think we couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better time to play them, because we鈥檙e in good shape, in good form, we鈥檙e hungry 鈥 that鈥檚 the big thing, these boys are hungry. They want to get better and that鈥檚 a test again, a test of character and a test of quality,鈥 he added.
Few, if any, pundits felt United was ready to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the table at the beginning of the campaign and its poor start led many to wonder if Solskjaer was even the right man for the job.
A home defeat to Crystal Palace on the opening day was followed by a 1-6 hammering from Tottenham Hotspur in its next home game.
A dull 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford was followed by another poor home display in the 0-1 loss against Arsenal on November 1.
Yet since then United has accumulated 29 points from a possible 33 and with seven wins out of eight in an unbeaten campaign on the road, Solskjaer鈥檚 team has finally found the consistency needed to challenge.
If there is one aspect of the United team that should give its fans confidence for the second half of the season it is its strength in depth.
Last season, United struggled whenever it was forced to alternate its starting lineup but the Red Devils now have plenty of options they can use without a significant drop off in quality.
Scott McTominay and Brazilian Fred have enjoyed a good spell as the defensive midfield pairing but at Burnley, Solskjaer wisely opted for the more physical presence and experience of Nemanja Matic alongside Paul Pogba.
Pogba got the winning goal and delivered another confident display, the latest indication of the Frenchman鈥檚 strong spell of form, while the Serb provided the solidity to neutralize the hosts.
鈥淚鈥檝e always said Paul is a big, big player for us. He鈥檚 a good character in the dressing room, he鈥檚 always one that the lads look to, he鈥檚 a world champion of course and we鈥檙e seeing the best of Paul at the moment. I feel he is getting better and better for every game,鈥 said Solskjaer.
Sunday will be the biggest test though for a side which is improving but which has yet to prove it is title material and Pogba is relishing the prospect.
鈥淲e have to keep calm, now it is the big moment. We will see what is going to happen,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t will be a beautiful game for everyone. A big game coming up so let鈥檚 get ready for it.鈥
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