Here is your Manchester United morning digest on Monday, February 8.
Carragher's United claim
Jamie Carragher believes Manchester United have "almost bottled" the Premier League title this season.
Liverpool legend Carragher thinks his former club are the only side that can stop Manchester City this campaign, with Pep Guardiola's side now five points clear at the top of the table with a game in-hand.
The ex-Liverpool defender was speaking prior to his former club's 4-1 defeat to City on Sunday afternoon, but he accused United of 'bottling' the Premier League.
The 20-time champions of England have won just two of their last six league games.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: “I think it’s only Liverpool that can stop them because I don’t think Man United even fancy it.
“I agree with what Graeme (Souness) said in the studio just then, I think listening to the comments of the United manager yesterday, me and Roy (Keane) had this conversation on the back of the Arsenal game last week, Man United feel like they’re happy to be involved. I cannot believe it, I honestly can’t believe it, this is a unique season, we know it’s different.
“Liverpool have got no centre-backs, City have got no strikers, De Bruyne’s out today, we’re saying how great of a season City have had, but last season we were saying they were off the boil, they were nowhere near their best, they’re only three points better off this season.
"So, it still shows they’re not the City of two or three years ago that we’ve seen and it is a strange season.
“I think Man United in the last few weeks have almost bottled it, they’ve got there and have been so excited they’re there and have almost talked themselves out of it with the last few results they’ve had. I don’t think there’s much belief there.
“I don’t think there’s massive belief in Liverpool, really, in terms of the supporters, in terms of winning the league because of the problems that they’ve had.”
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Lingard told why he must leave for good
Jesse Lingard has been urged to leave United on a permanent deal after impressing for West Ham in his first two games with the London club.
Lingard is on loan at the Hammers for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign after struggling to break into the first-team at Old Trafford.
The 28-year-old has made a fine start to life at the London Stadium, scoring twice on his debut as they beat Aston Villa on Wednesday evening.
Now, Paul Merson has told Lingard that he must leave the Manchester club on a permanent basis at the end of the season in order to benefit his career.
"Jesse Lingard has no future at Manchester United and should leave Old Trafford permanently," Merson said in his latest Daily Star column.
"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said all the right things about wanting to build up his confidence on loan at West Ham so they can welcome him back.
"But he was just trying to build up Lingard’s transfer fee. I think he should move on. United are playing all these games and he’s not had a look-in.
"He’s not 21 anymore. It’s not like the Arsenal kids going out on loan to get experience."
Read the full story here.
Solskjaer's title admission
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted his team should never have been considered for this season's Premier League title.
United dropped precious points in the latter stages of Saturday's 3-3 draw with Everton at Old Trafford and they have now fallen five points adrift of Manchester City at the top of the table.
Solskjaer believes that his side should not have been named as possible title contenders despite being in second place.
The Norwegian said: "We're not talking about winning titles. We've come a long way this team. We shouldn't even be considered as title-chasers. That's one for you [the media] - we've got to be better as a team and let's see where we end up. Going forward, we need to stop conceding easy goals.
"They had three shots that hit between the goals and they scored three goals. It's disappointing. And when it's in the last minute of added time it's very disappointing.
"I wouldn't blame anyone on the goals but we know we can defend better."
