Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been speaking about Manchester United’s postponed opening-day trip to Burnley.
The game was delayed due to United’s extended participation in last season’s Europa League and is still to be re-arranged – the same is also true of Manchester City’s home game against Aston Villa.
Solskjaer says getting a new date is complicated as United – and City for that matter – are still in the EFL Cup.
However, United and Burnley are playing in the same midweek in January, which means they should be clear on 12 January.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been looking at his calendar.
Solskjaer has worked out that from tonight’s game against Sheffield United to the New Year’s Day encounter with Aston Villa, United have six games in 15 days.
Solskjaer feels the run will shape his side’s season.
“This is a big run of games for us,” he said.
“After the Villa game on New Year’s Day, we have a little bit of a break in the league, so this period is going to be vital.
“I’d be disappointed if the players didn’t think we can put a challenge up. I feel we’re getting better but we have to improve quite a bit to take that next step as well.”
United are ninth in the table but have two games in hand on almost all the teams around them.
Manager Steve Bruce likened Newcastle’s defending to “something you see on a park on a Sunday” after they conceded three times in the last 13 minutes at Leeds.
I thought we looked a threat when we equalised,” said Bruce, referring to Ciaran Clark’s 65th-minute header.
“Of course Leeds are always going to ask you questions the way they play, they do it very well, but we’ve gifted them the two or three goals at the end. Unfortunately they’re something which you see on a park on a Sunday.
“We can’t make those mistakes we’ve made here. At the wrong time we’ve given away poor goals, not defended well enough and got punished. It’s unacceptable.”