SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 8 hrs 24 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Matic has visions of 2020 glory as Manchester United continue to rise

:Headline: Matic has visions of 2020 glory as Manchester United continue to rise: ID:349922: from db_amp
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's men claimed an important win at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Nemanja Matic is optimistic about next season's title prospects after Manchester United moved into the Premier League's top four for the first time since the opening weekend.

Saturday afternoon saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's superb start to life as caretaker manager continue with a comprehensive 3-0 victory at strugglers Fulham.

Anthony Martial scored a superb solo effort in between two Paul Pogba goals at Craven Cottage, putting United back in the Champions League spots after a six-month absence.

Paul Pogba scored twice at Craven Cottage (John Walton/PA)

They had been 11 points off fourth when Jose Mourinho was sacked, but Solskjaer's side have dropped just two points since his December appointment and Matic was buoyed by this latest win.

"We knew that if we win then we will be in fourth position," the defensive midfielder said. "Of course, Chelsea have one game less, but we are happy for three more points.

"We played well, we fight for each other. Clean sheet, we scored three goals, so we are very pleased."

United are the Premier League's in-form side, with their upturn in fortunes seeing the likes of Matic talk up next season's championship chances.

"To win the league you need to win the games like we did in the last seven, eight games," said Matic, a two-time Premier League winner with Chelsea.

"So you need to win six, seven games in a row, then you can drop some points, to draw, to lose one game.

"But we have to continue, we have to continue like this. We have to learn always, and this is the way to play.

"This is the way to fight so if we play like this for the next season then we will be one of the teams who is going to fight for the title."

United can still lift a trophy this season but face a few crucial weeks, with Paris St Germain arriving at Old Trafford on Tuesday for the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie before a trip to face Chelsea in the FA Cup beckons.

Solskjaer's Reds head into those games unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions, with the Norwegian reaping the rewards of his good mood behind the scenes as well as in front of the cameras.

"He's always positive," Matic said. "Of course, when we don't play well, of course he needs to shout a little bit.

"But he's the same – always positive. The same when I see him in the press conference, he's like this with us also in the changing room."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shares a joke with Mike Phelan (John Walton/PA)

Claudio Ranieri is another positive manager, but things continue to go awry for embattled Fulham.

Survival is looking increasingly unlikely as the weeks go by and some of the Craven Cottage faithful turned on the Italian during the second half.

"I have soldiers, because until the end we wanted to score the goal," Ranieri said. "Even at 3-0 we wanted to score the goals.

“It's important to show to our fans that we are alive, and that we will try to do our best until the end.”
- Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri

"When you play against champions you have to stay calm, don't lose your composure. That's the real problem. They wanted to do something, but you have to stay calm and think.

"I understand the fans want to see the players fight until the end. Of course we lost 3-0, it's not an easy result, we are in a very dangerous situation, I understand.

"I told my players it's important to show to our fans that we are alive, and that we will try to do our best until the end."

amp_article__349922 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-10 13:30:14:
html db last update - 2021-03-02 12:27:52 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Nemanja Matic

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .