‘Little bit afraid’ – Manchester United, Man City and Liverpool managers weigh up title race

Manchester Metropolis prepared the ground in what seems like being an intriguing race for the Premier League title this season.

City are one level forward of rivals Manchester United following their 5-0 thrashing of relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night, however Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s facet will reclaim prime spot this night with victory over backside facet Sheffield United.

Leicester Metropolis are third forward of their journey to play Everton on Wednesday night time, with reigning champions Liverpool now seven factors off the highest in fifth place following West Ham United’s transfer to fourth with a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace.

The Reds, who can shut the hole after they play Tottenham in north London on Thursday, ended their 30-year await a league title final season as they turned champions of England for the primary time since 1990.

Jurgen Klopp’s males romped to glory, ending 18 factors away from runners-up Metropolis and a large 33 factors forward of third-placed United.

It’s a lot nearer this time round, although, for now a minimum of.

With the title nonetheless inside attain of a number of sides, we now have taken a have a look at what a number of the key gamers – managers on this case – have been saying in regards to the 2020-21 title chase.

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United)

Talking after the current goalless draw with Liverpool at Anfield, Solskjaer mentioned: “It doesn’t actually matter the place we at the moment are, it issues the place we’re in Could. We transfer on, stick with it.

“We really feel that we’ve developed and that may be a good feeling with being upset to solely get one level away.

“I do know we are able to play higher, however we’re nonetheless coming away from right here with some extent which exhibits how far we’ve are available a yr and even six months.”

Earlier than the match, Solskjaer was requested if he would have dared to dream that United can be on this place a number of months in the past.

“Effectively, I am a dreamer you already know,” the supervisor replied. “So, I dreamt about having this job too, and I’ve received it now.

“And there weren’t many who believed that both. However you your self have to have religion.”

After following up the Liverpool draw with a 2-1 midweek win at Fulham, Solskjaer mentioned: “We have completed higher in tighter video games; we have received a great deal of 1-0s and 2-1s.

“Whenever you add these up on the finish of the season it means many, many factors.

“That was some extent we spoke about early on earlier than the season had began, that we wanted to cease getting attracts and win extra video games.

“We have proven nice enchancment within the mentality in addition to bodily robustness. Tonight, we stayed the entire 90 minutes once more.”

Pep Guardiola (Manchester Metropolis)

After Metropolis’s 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace on 17 January, boss Pep Guardiola insisted he was not wanting too far forward.

“Crystal Palace – I am not in a position to say a lot additional,” mentioned the Spaniard.

“I am fairly positive there will probably be unhealthy moments throughout the season.

“It is not an issue, we fought lots once we had been eight factors behind earlier than we performed Southampton.

“We fought to be there and we are going to battle lots to take care of to be there. Many issues will occur, it is a bizarre season.

“That is why I do not take into consideration the place within the desk, what’s going to occur sooner or later is relaxation effectively and put together for Aston Villa.”

Guardiola additionally described how Metropolis’s improved type during the last two months has been constructed on a strong defence.

“We’re a group we attempt to play the identical just like the final seasons however this season the again 4 we do not make errors,” he added.

“Prior to now final season we made lots of errors to offer the opponents targets.

“This season in the event that they rating targets we applaud them and be strong. It does not matter who performs however Ruben (Dias) and John (Stones) play as a result of others are injured. It offers us the arrogance. A very powerful factor is we do not concede a lot and pictures on the right track as a result of it is basic for our recreation.

“Since we arrived right here it was final season that was the worst. The targets towards Norwich and plenty of video games. The years we had been champions we had been strong behind.

“We’ve not modified a lot, particular person high quality, Ruben helps lots, John grew up. Everybody was settled. The dedication for everybody, how the others fought, did not go away them time to suppose.”

Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)

Liverpool boss Klopp has insisted his first goal is to qualify for subsequent season’s Champions League.

“For me, it is not necessary the place we’re within the second – it is necessary that we now have factors and we’re round this group (prime 4),” mentioned the German.

“For that you simply want factors. We’re in the course of a bunch of groups which battle for this spot and that is what we now have to do.

“It is not about if we do not grow to be champions, it is not enjoyable anymore. We simply battle for all the things.

“A very powerful factor is to qualify for the Champions League and I understand how troublesome it’s. This season it is going to be a troublesome race for the highest 4.”

Forward of the United recreation, Klopp mentioned: “It have to be thrilling and fascinating, it could be boring if one group was so dominant – like within the ‘90s, and early 2000s with United and earlier with Liverpool, clearly.

“I used to be just a little bit afraid that Man Metropolis can be one thing like that (dominating) and clearly may nonetheless be. Nevertheless it’s necessary that anyone has stepped in and confirmed that there are other ways to play and you’ll achieve success.

“It gave all of us an opportunity to strive once more and that’s after all what’s taking place this yr. So many groups might be champions.

“Don’t overlook, Metropolis have a recreation in hand and all this sort of stuff. Chelsea should not a completed article, and Tottenham are doing effectively.”

Brendan Rodgers (Leicester Metropolis)

Talking forward of the sport with Chelsea on 19 January, Rodgers advised Sky Sports activities: “You solely want to have a look at the groups round us. I do know we upset most individuals once we stopped the first vs 2nd recreation (Liverpool v United) by profitable our recreation towards Southampton. In order that was unlucky for you guys.

“I’ve been very completely satisfied. The gamers have been excellent up till this level. It’s a must to retain that starvation and want if you wish to always be up in that prime echelons within the league.

“We’re combating with some tremendous groups. There’s some huge groups up there however our guys are competing and that’s all I can ask.”

Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Hotspur)

Mourinho has performed down Spurs’ hopes of mounting a title problem this season.

“We aren’t even within the race. We aren’t a horse,” mentioned the previous Chelsea and United boss.

“I do not know what the phrase is. We’re the small, younger horses. We’re only a pony.”

Carlo Ancelotti (Everton)

Like Mourinho, Ancelotti has beforehand performed down Everton’s probabilities of difficult for honours.

Talking on the finish of December, the Italian mentioned: “I believe realistically no, we’re not contenders for the title.

“Our goal does not change. There may be lots of competitors within the Premier League, lots of implausible groups.

“Our goal is to achieve a European place. We wish to play in Europe subsequent season and that does not change.

“After one yr we now have progressed rather well. The group has a very good spirit. The gamers are motivated. Now we have had good signings. The progress is basically good.”