United just need a draw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

LONDON. — Manchester United need a point from their final game to clinch a Champions League place after coming from behind to draw against West Ham, who confirmed their Premier League survival.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side moved into third, a point ahead of Leicester, who they face at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

But victory for Brendan Rodgers’ team will deny the Red Devils a spot in Europe’s elite club competition next season — unless fourth-placed Chelsea lose both their remaining games.

Michail Antonio put the Hammers ahead in first-half stoppage time with his eighth goal in six games after Paul Pogba gave away a penalty when he raised his hands to block a Declan Rice free-kick.

Eighteen-year-old Mason Greenwood levelled with his 17th goal of a stellar first season as a senior player.

Both sides had chances to win it, with under-pressure David de Gea producing a fingertip save to repel a deflected Jarrod Bowen effort and substitute Odion Ighalo turned a near-post effort wide at the other end.

United already knew their efforts to secure a top-four berth would go down to the last day at Leicester.

However, the point means that, after being in fifth since February, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have moved back into the top four for the first time since 14 September.

Although Solskjaer said during United’s pre-season tour of Australia he rated Greenwood as the best finisher at the club, it was not until December that he gave the Yorkshireman his first Premier League start of the season.

Twenty-two games on, it is hard to imagine the line-up for an important game being picked without him. His latest clinical effort was his 10th in the league this term. Michael Owen’s astonishing effort in 1997-98, when he scored 18, is the only time a teenager has done better since the Premier League was formed in 1992.

The intricate close passing with Martial which created the shooting opportunity underlined that Greenwood is much more than a goalscorer. It felt like he was taking responsibility when other, more experienced, team-mates had not.

Owen went to a World Cup after his stellar season. — BBC Sport.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey