Why the preceding weekend was good for Manchester United

Manchester United might not be top of the Premier League as the club always aspires to be, but all is not bad and success feels just around the corner.

United won the League Cup and the Europa League last season and whilst seemingly out of the title run-in, as are all but City, they are still in the FA Cup and the Champions League, two opportunities to add to last season’s successes.

Aside from that, United had a good footballing weekend, here’s why!

 

City Draw

City kicked off the weekend drawing 1-1 away at Burnley, United would regret losing to Spurs in midweek but Burnley gave them a help in hand to compensate with what little hope there is of a title win.

 

Sanchez avoids long wait for goal

United were strong in beating Huddersfield at Old Trafford at the weekend.

The Red Devils should have had an early penalty as Scott McTominay was clattered in to by Huddersfield defender Terence Kongolo, the referee Stuart Attwell seemed confused and eventually gave a drop ball.

United weren’t great in the first half but found improvement in the second half, Romelu Lukaku scoring the opening goal, assisted by Juan Mata. Alexis Sanchez was the man of the match, seeing a lot of the ball, also the most fouled man in any one Premier League game this season, indicating just how threatening he is to opposition defenders with the only way they could stop him being to kick him.

One of those fouls resulted in a penalty being given in Sanchez’s favour, Sanchez took it and missed. His effort though stopped by Lossl, who pushed it right back into the Chilean’s path, for him to kick the ball into the other side of the goal.

An important goal for Sanchez, who now avoids any frustrating run, searching for his first goal.

 

Liverpool and Spurs draw

Spurs have been creeping up the table and their win over United in midweek only helped that cause. Liverpool themselves have been having a good season and look favourites to finish in the top 4.

This weekend they met each other at Anfield with a draw being the ideal result for United to keep clear of both sides in the league table. The game duly delivered a 2-2 draw in a game not short of controversy, comical in the eye of the neutral, I’m sure.

 

Chelsea lose, again!

Chelsea faced a trip to Watford on Monday night and started without a striker. They went down to 10-men after Bakayoko was sent in the first half hour and Watford took a lead.

Hazard equalised late and as these games go, you probably expect the superior team to win, not this time! Watford absolutely destroyed Chelsea in the last 10 minutes of the game and won 4-1.

The Blues are continuing with manager Antonio Conte for the time being, to the surprise of many, me included.

 

Overall

A good week on the pitch for United. I must add that we will never forget those who lost their lives in the Munich air disaster, 60 years ago this week.        

 

Written by Jordan Hackett

Follow Jordan on Twitter @Devildart180

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