Respite for Solskjaer, Man Utd against struggling Spurs

Published

4 years ago

October 31, 2021

admin

4:22 PM ET

LONDON — There was only a short handshake between the managers at the end of Manchester United’s 3-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur, but by that point, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had already passed the baton to Nuno Espirito Santo as embattled boss of the Premier League‘s crisis club.

Thousands of Tottenham supporters had already left, but many who stayed did so mainly to boo Nuno off the pitch as his opposite number strode across the turf to the section of United fans, who had been singing Solskjaer’s name for most of the second half as their club ended a difficult week with a much-needed victory.

Spurs followers opted for a more toxic repertoire, which ranged from chanting “you don’t know what you’re doing” at Nuno for his first substitution of the game, when Lucas Moura was replaced by Steven Bergwijn with the score 1-0 — to calling for club chairman Daniel Levy to quit.

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Solskjaer is hardly out of the woods and his position remains precarious with a tricky Champions League trip to Atalanta and next weekend’s Manchester derby to come, but his team’s display was a response to recent days, which have seen competing narratives emerge from Old Trafford.

On the one hand, there has been a feeling that United’s players and fanbase are losing faith in their under-fire boss, while Solskjaer himself countered that the group were working well on the training ground to right the ship knocked so badly off course by last weekend’s 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool.

Given the way this game played out, with United ending a four-game winless run in the Premier League and turning in their most complete display of the season, the 48-year-old was not about to pass up a chance to question some of the coverage, praising “brilliant” fans and calling out those who wanted to, in his words, “portray a different story.”

This performance provided vindication for Solskjaer’s belief that his squad remains sufficiently behind him and his players executed a game plan, which saw just two changes to the side that started against Liverpool, but featured a three-man defence, in which Raphael Varane made a significant difference on his return from a groin injury.

Solskjaer has use three at the back on occasions previously, but whether this is a blueprint for the future or an emergency measure designed to galvanise a beleaguered team remains to be seen. One conclusion that is difficult to escape, though, is that the success — or otherwise — of re-signing Ronaldo will be the main factor that determines the manager’s immediate.

The 36-year-old’s deployment as a lone centre-forward has largely disrupted United’s attacking rhythm, even accounting for his marvellous individual quality, but here he was paired up front with Edinson Cavani, whose presence gave United more dynamism with and without the ball.

The forward line has a combined age of 70, but Ronaldo and Cavani have scored more than 1200 career goals between them and the fact that each added to their tallies at Tottenham encapsulated their team’s display and settled the game as a contest with a third of the match to play. It was, Solskjaer said, something that had been hinted at during the week.

“Tuesday morning’s training session by Edinson Cavani is probably the best I’ve seen by an individual since I’ve come here,” Solskjaer said. “He led the line, he went as a good example for everyone, how to go about changing the mood and the two of them were told early on they were going to play up front as a two. They’ve been like two peas in a pod, really close, and it worked.”

After Cristian Romero had had a goal disallowed for offside and Son Heung-Min shot over from close range, United went ahead six minutes before half-time when Bruno Fernandes found Ronaldo with a superb angled pass. The Portuguese gambled that Ben Davies would be unable to stretch himself to intercept, then fired a right-foot volley into the far corner with devastating precision.

Ronaldo turned provider after 64 minutes, perfectly timing a through ball for Cavani, who lifted a deft shot over Hugo Lloris and into the net. Substitute Marcus Rashford, on for Ronaldo, added a late third as he ran through a chasm in the middle of Spurs’ defence to continue his promising form after returning from shoulder surgery.

Ronaldo’s exit prompted what appeared to be a prolonged explanation from Solksjaer why he was withdrawn; “OK, OK,” Ronaldo replied as he took his place on the bench. In less dramatic fashion than his Champions League winners against Villarreal and Atalanta, he had avoided further dissent or indifference that would have been another blow to Solskjaer’s credentials and provided cutting edge to a professional performance.

Contrast that with Harry Kane. While Ronaldo may be motivated by returning to his former club, Kane continues to look like he would rather be somewhere else — specifically Manchester City — after being denied a move in the summer. He managed one blocked shot and a once ruthless link-up with Son was practically non-existent.

Yet Spurs’ issues are collective, going far beyond their big two. They failed to muster a single shot on target for the first time in a home league game since December 2013 and it is two hours, 16 minutes since they forced an opposing goalkeeper into making a save.

That points to a manager yet to identity a coherent way of playing, an unappealing inertia that could hardly be further removed from the proactive Mauricio Pochettino era, in the shadow of which the club continues to live. So passive were the hosts that a wounded United side was allowed to grow into the game, rediscover confidence and eventually emerge with a comfortable victory.

Both Solskjaer and Nuno are seeking to take a team on from Jose Mourinho’s regressive style. Due to the absence of fans resulting from COVID-19 restrictions, Tottenham last permanent manager did not face the same hostility from fans at what they saw as a betrayal of the club’s attacking heritage; Nuno can be under no such illusions.

“I’m only thinking about the next training session because there are no words that are going to solve the situation,” Nuno said. “The booing and disappointment of the fans is understandable. When they don’t see the team that they expect — and I truly expect we are better than we showed today — they are going to boo. It is up to us to change the mood.”

By then, having earlier paused his media duties to sign autographs, Solskjaer was on his way to boarding the team bus, soundtracked by cheers from the few United fans still in attendance. How quickly things can change.

Sports

Twins’ Buxton to take part in Home Run Derby

Published

54 mins ago

July 8, 2025

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Twins' Buxton to take part in Home Run Derby

Associated Press

Jul 7, 2025, 05:54 PM ET

Minnesota Twins outfielder and Georgia native Byron Buxton was announced as the fourth participant in the Home Run Derby on Monday.

The Derby will take place July 14, the night before the All-Star Game, at Truist Park in Atlanta.

Buxton joins Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh in the eight-man competition. Buxton, who has 20 homers this season, is from Baxley, Georgia, and was taken by the Twins with the second pick in the 2012 draft.

In discussing his second All-Star selection with reporters on Sunday, Buxton beamed as he described the excitement of his 11-year-old son, Brix, who regularly plays the Home Run Derby on the MLB: The Show video game at home.

“He always is like, ‘Dad, if you do this, I want to bring you a towel!’ and I’m like, ‘All right.’ That’s all he cares about. He wants Dad to do it so he can bring me a towel and a Gatorade. And for me, that’s special,” Buxton said. “Out of everybody there, all the people he’s going to see, that’s what he wants and cares about. So, it’s the small things that add up to the big ones.”

The 31-year-old Buxton will be the eighth Twins hitter to take part in the Derby. Justin Morneau won the event in 2008.

New York Mets slugger and two-time winner Pete Alonso joined Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber in electing to skip the event. Both told reporters Sunday about their decisions.

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Alonso was named a National League reserve for the All-Star Game in a season when he has hit 20 homers. He won the Home Run Derby in 2019 and 2021. It wasn’t held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m not necessarily called this year to do it,” Alonso said, according to MLB.com. “I love the event. It’s a sick event. I just didn’t really feel motivated to do it this year. I just figured I’d take a break, use the break as recovery and get back at it, help the team win in the second half.”

Although he’s not participating this summer, Schwarber left the door open to taking part next season when the All-Star Game will be held in Philadelphia. Schwarber has 27 homers this season and made his third All-Star team.

Sports

Nationals pick ‘diligent’ Cairo as interim manager

Published

54 mins ago

July 8, 2025

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Nationals pick 'diligent' Cairo as interim manager

ESPN News Services

Jul 7, 2025, 02:29 PM ET

The Washington Nationals have named bench coach Miguel Cairo as their interim manager, the team announced Monday.

Cairo, a native of Venezuela who played for nine teams over 17 MLB seasons from 1996 to 2012, replaces Dave Martinez, who was fired along with general manager Mike Rizzo on Sunday.

Cairo, 51, joined the Nationals in 2024 after spending the previous season as the minor league infield coordinator for the New York Mets. He also served as bench coach for the Chicago White Sox during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, being named active manager after Tony La Russa stepped aside in 2022 because of an undisclosed medical condition. The White Sox went 18-16 down the stretch under Cairo but failed to reach the playoffs.

“Miguel is well-respected in our organization and around baseball,” Nationals interim general manager Mike DeBartolo said in a statement. “A diligent worker and student of the game, he has a proven track record of showing strong leadership in a variety of situations, and I believe that his voice and energy will serve as a catalyst to our team and our fan base in the second half of the season.”

Cairo played all positions except catcher, center fielder and pitcher during his playing career. He was a career .264 hitter with 41 home runs and 394 RBIs in 1,490 games.

DeBartolo, the club’s senior vice president and assistant general manager, was named interim GM on Sunday night and will oversee all aspects of baseball operations, including the MLB draft.

The Nationals are 37-53, last in the National League East standings after getting swept by the Boston Red Sox this weekend at home. Washington hasn’t finished higher than fourth in the division since winning the 2019 World Series.

Washington has a 325-473 record since the start of the 2020 season, only better than the Colorado Rockies.

Field Level Media contributed to this report.

Sports

Kershaw: ASG legend nod ‘weird, but it’s cool’

Published

54 mins ago

July 8, 2025

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Kershaw: ASG legend nod 'weird, but it's cool'

Associated Press

Jul 7, 2025, 08:23 PM ET

MILWAUKEE — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw appreciates his 11th career All-Star Game selection while acknowledging this one’s a little different from the rest.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner has made only nine starts this season but still got selected to the National League team as a “Legend Pick” by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, under a provision in the collective bargaining agreement.

“You never take for granted getting to go to an All-Star Game, regardless of the circumstances,” Kershaw said Monday before the Dodgers played the Milwaukee Brewers. “Obviously, I don’t deserve to get to go this season. I haven’t pitched very much.”

This marked the first time Manfred made a Legend Pick for the All-Star Game since 2022, when Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols both received that designation.

“I didn’t really actually know that was a thing,” Kershaw said. “At the end of the day, it’s weird, but it’s cool, so I’m just going to enjoy it.”

The honor comes less than a week after Kershaw recorded his 3,000th career strikeout, becoming just the 20th pitcher to reach that plateau. He’s in his 18th season with the Dodgers, tying Hall of Fame outfielder Zack Wheat and shortstop Bill Russell for the franchise record.

The 37-year-old left-hander didn’t make his season debut until May 17 as he worked his way back from toe and knee surgeries. He also had undergone shoulder surgery after the 2023 season. He owns a 4-0 record and 3.43 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 44⅔ innings.

“I think it’s mixed,” Kershaw said. “I think there’s some good and some bad. I think it’s helpful to be able to get the reps, go back out and be able to feel OK in between starts to work on some stuff and try to figure out some things mechanically and pitch-wise and stuff. I’d say overall, I wouldn’t say I’m happy, but I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed, either. Just kind of right in the middle.”

All these career milestones naturally lead to questions about Kershaw’s legacy and future. Kershaw says he’s just focusing on the here and now.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” he said. “I really have no idea when it comes to the years beyond this one, so I’m just trying to enjoy it, trying to be part of a really good team this year. We’ve still got a lot to accomplish, and we still have October. It’s really hard to look at stuff individually when you’re trying to accomplish something as a team.”

But he still appreciates this latest honor, no matter how he was selected.

“I’ll never pass up that opportunity,” Kershaw said. “It’s a tremendous honor. Super thankful to get to go. Regardless of the situation or how I maybe snuck into the All-Star Game, it’s pretty cool to get to be able to go.”