The Anfield star who was delighted to see the Red Devils go “toe toe” with his former club at the top of England’s premier flight again
Danny Murphy believes Manchester United are Liverpool’s top rivals for the Premier League, insisting it is “good for the game” for the 13-time winners to be back “in the mix” .
United have suffered eight years of starvation since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all moving above them in English football packing order.
David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho all failed to turn the Red Devils back into the real contenders for the domestic crown, but signs of promise have been shown since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed in December 2018.
The Norwegian boss delivered a top-flight finish in third place last season and his players have kicked in from there, rising to second place in the standings at the mid-flight stage of the 2020-21 campaign.
United are just behind beating Liverpool on a goal difference at the moment, with their 2-1 home win over Aston Villa last time out putting extra pressure on men. Jurgen Klopp ahead of their trip to Southampton on Monday night.
Murphy is delighted to see both clubs go “toe toe” again at the top of the list, and has praised Solskjaer for his work at Old Trafford over the two years. gone.
“I don’t have the natural instinct to wish Manchester United well but I have to be aware that seeing them in the title mix, which is currently with Liverpool, is good for the game,” the former Reds midfielder told the Daily mail.
“The struggle between Liverpool and Manchester City has been exciting in recent years but nothing compares to seeing the two biggest clubs in the country – Liverpool and United – go to the sidelines.
“United ‘s resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is an example that patience can be the best policy towards a manager. There have been many times when Solskjaer was fired or needed a result to resign. and has always found a way.
“That’s a belief for him and perhaps a lesson for happy chairs that sometimes you have to give managers the right opportunity, especially when they’re trying to initiate long-term change. “
Murphy does not think United will succeed in wrestling the title back from Liverpool in May, but he feels Solskjaer has the same personality as Klopp, and would not be disappointed to see his hard work as successful award in the form of awards.
“I think Solskjaer has behaved well over the last two years,” he said. I think they will fall just short this season, over 38 Liverpool and City games are still stronger, but it has made United competitive again.
“If the worst and the United champions happen in the end, Solskjaer is the only person you don’t want to win because he would still be humble and take it in the right way, as Jurgen Klopp did at Liverpool. Jose Mourinho having won the league with United, it would have been something different! “