Sky Sports News pundit and former Manchester United skipper Gary Neville has given his opinion on the upcoming fixtures for the Red Devils, games he describes as must-wins.
United find themselves 8 points behind league leaders Manchester City, and with fixtures against Arsenal and City coming up in the next week, it is certainly no time to be dropping any more points.
Neville believes that United’s place in the table isn’t to do with how bad they have been, but rather how outstanding City have been playing.
As for striker Romelu Lukaku, who has scored just one goal since the end of September, Neville believes now is the time for the Belgian to step up and make his mark in a United shirt.
“I don’t think Jose Mourinho will be worried about Romelu Lukaku’s lack of goals, but I think ultimately he’s got two big games coming up,” said Neville.
“He was brought in to score goals in the games which United were drawing last season. However, it is in the big matches where they now need him most. If there is a way to get at Arsenal and Manchester City then it is by really going at their defences.
“For a striker, it is all about your goals and unfortunately, people will always measure him by that, but away from the goals his contribution has to be big, to mess their centre-halves about.
“He’s had his struggles but ultimately that was always going to happen at some point after his blistering start, but this is a critical stage of the season where he has to deliver.
“Lukaku gets more chances created for him but he’s also under more pressure, so misses get scrutinised, and rightly so, but these are the games where he can silence his critics.”
United face two straight trips to London, having beaten Watford 4-2 and heading into Saturday’s game with Arsenal, they are two tough fixtures to have to go to, but Neville believes Mourinho’s men can come away with another 3 points against Arsenal.
“I was a little bit worried as a Manchester United fan this week with Watford and Arsenal away, and felt we couldn’t go into the derby any further behind Manchester City, so it was a big win on Tuesday night.
“Watford is a tough place to go and now United need to focus on the Arsenal game where they will face a team who have built up some momentum at the Emirates with 12 straight wins.
“One thing for certain is that United have to win the derby. In terms of the title race, they have to damage them and really disrupt their rhythm.”
So how can United stop City? Their home advantage may prove to be a big factor according to Neville.
“Old Trafford is a ground where runs can come to end, as Arsenal’s Invincibles’ run did. The season is really coming to a head and it is a big two or three weeks. United have to be closer to City than they are now when we head into Christmas.
“United will be more measured against City, you can’t be open against them, but you also have to put pressure on them. Pep’s City have been wonderful, playing fantastic football, and that has to be stopped somehow.
“To go away to Old Trafford is the biggest test they’ll have had. It’s an intriguing and exciting game, one in the back of everybody’s mind already.
“United have done well when you look at their points tally. Any other season 32 points after 14 games would put them in a fantastic position, so it is more about City being fantastic than United not doing well.”
[Quotes via Sky Sports News]