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IT WAS A WEEK OF POSITIVITY FOR UNITED WITH 2 WINS IN THE LEAGUE AND A DRAW IN EUROPE DESPITE PLAYING VERY WELL. THE PERFORMANCES IMPROVED FOLLOWING LAST WEEKS DIP AGAINST ARSENAL, UNITED NOW SIT 3 POINTS BEHING CITY AND STILL IN WITH A CHANCE OF QUALIFYING IN EUROPE.
Monday United hosted the enigmatic Southampton and put in a commanding effort. United lead 2 minutes in Yasser Asprilla slipped Pedro Porro in for the first with a thunderous effort into the top corner, United found a second through Lisandro Martinez. The Argentine worked a gap and his effort slipped though Jose Sa's hands, the 'keeper should've done better. Raheem Sterling rolled back the years to make it 3, beating several challenges the Englishman glided through the Saints before cooly slotting in. Dejan Kulusevki scored for Saints on half time with a goal similar to Paul Gascgoine at Euro 96, flicking over the head of Pedro Porro and smashing past Jan Oblak. United rung the changes and gave several run outs in the second half before a late 4th, with Conor Smith getting his second of the season by pouncing on a sloppy pass from Wesley Fofana. Outten looked happy post match stating "This game ticked a lot of boxes and we're pleased with our showing. We did a lot right and sure, we allowed them a few efforts but with some players getting a rest and the back ups getting time, it was a little bit inevitable. But whatever, our output was very good and a perfect reaction after last weeks game. It's a positive to prepare for Arsenal again and we feel confident on the back of this one."
United hosted Arsenal again in Europe, after a mixed set of results last week, and United ideally needing a win, did get off to a bad start. 10 minutes in Santiago Gimenez struck from just outside the box to beat Oblak, the Slovakian not happy with his defenders, feeling they stood too far off the Uruguyain. United played the brighter football and left it late to equalise. Throwing the kitchen sink with many attacking players up the pitch, former Gunner Yaser Asprilla levelled after catching Aaron Hickey in possession and finishing powerfully with seconds remaining. Despite the result, Outten was again happy at full time but admitted they need some big results. "We played a very good game and deserved a win but sometimes these games happen. I can't ask more for more, I mean we fought until the end and had we lost we'd have been eliminated in my eyes so this result was bigger in the context of things. Look, we can take great pride today and the lads should be happy. That's that really."
Friday saw the big one for United as they travelled to Anfield. Graeme Edwards managed to guide Liverpool to a cup final win last season and that result seemed to be Uniteds motivation as they strolled to a 2 goal lead. United had to wait for the second half to open the scoring when Gabriel Moscardo's looping effort caught out Courtois, whether it was a shot or cross only he knows but it caused pandemonium in the away fans. The game was settled when Luis Diaz was given too much time and space to effortlessly strike past Courtois to kill the tie. United looked much the better on the day and Outten felt very pleased once again, but issued a rallying call to his players. "We've beaten one of our rivals, and FFO's greatest ever managers in Mr Edwards so how can you not take positives and pride from this result. We did it emphatically too so the lads again should be pleased with their performance. We've had a positive week for numerous reasons and now we need to build on these results and displays to make sure we cause City problems. There's teams behind us with the same motivation too, and we'll take all this to keep us fighting for wins as we want to keep pushing on all 3 fronts."
679 words
Monday United hosted the enigmatic Southampton and put in a commanding effort. United lead 2 minutes in Yasser Asprilla slipped Pedro Porro in for the first with a thunderous effort into the top corner, United found a second through Lisandro Martinez. The Argentine worked a gap and his effort slipped though Jose Sa's hands, the 'keeper should've done better. Raheem Sterling rolled back the years to make it 3, beating several challenges the Englishman glided through the Saints before cooly slotting in. Dejan Kulusevki scored for Saints on half time with a goal similar to Paul Gascgoine at Euro 96, flicking over the head of Pedro Porro and smashing past Jan Oblak. United rung the changes and gave several run outs in the second half before a late 4th, with Conor Smith getting his second of the season by pouncing on a sloppy pass from Wesley Fofana. Outten looked happy post match stating "This game ticked a lot of boxes and we're pleased with our showing. We did a lot right and sure, we allowed them a few efforts but with some players getting a rest and the back ups getting time, it was a little bit inevitable. But whatever, our output was very good and a perfect reaction after last weeks game. It's a positive to prepare for Arsenal again and we feel confident on the back of this one."
United hosted Arsenal again in Europe, after a mixed set of results last week, and United ideally needing a win, did get off to a bad start. 10 minutes in Santiago Gimenez struck from just outside the box to beat Oblak, the Slovakian not happy with his defenders, feeling they stood too far off the Uruguyain. United played the brighter football and left it late to equalise. Throwing the kitchen sink with many attacking players up the pitch, former Gunner Yaser Asprilla levelled after catching Aaron Hickey in possession and finishing powerfully with seconds remaining. Despite the result, Outten was again happy at full time but admitted they need some big results. "We played a very good game and deserved a win but sometimes these games happen. I can't ask more for more, I mean we fought until the end and had we lost we'd have been eliminated in my eyes so this result was bigger in the context of things. Look, we can take great pride today and the lads should be happy. That's that really."
Friday saw the big one for United as they travelled to Anfield. Graeme Edwards managed to guide Liverpool to a cup final win last season and that result seemed to be Uniteds motivation as they strolled to a 2 goal lead. United had to wait for the second half to open the scoring when Gabriel Moscardo's looping effort caught out Courtois, whether it was a shot or cross only he knows but it caused pandemonium in the away fans. The game was settled when Luis Diaz was given too much time and space to effortlessly strike past Courtois to kill the tie. United looked much the better on the day and Outten felt very pleased once again, but issued a rallying call to his players. "We've beaten one of our rivals, and FFO's greatest ever managers in Mr Edwards so how can you not take positives and pride from this result. We did it emphatically too so the lads again should be pleased with their performance. We've had a positive week for numerous reasons and now we need to build on these results and displays to make sure we cause City problems. There's teams behind us with the same motivation too, and we'll take all this to keep us fighting for wins as we want to keep pushing on all 3 fronts."
679 words