Manchester United defender Chris Smalling believes club’s remaining home games will decisively shape what the Reds can achieve this season.
United beat Southampton 3-2 at Old Trafford on March 2 and Smalling thinks the results was positive for United fans so far.
“I think our results at Old Trafford are going to determine how our season goes. Getting back in front of our fans is exactly what we need.” Smalling told said.
Smalling, who made his 200th Premier League appearance for the club during United’s recent trip to Arsenal, is wary of the threat posed by this weekend’s visitors, Watford.
Watford are eighth in the EPL table and have also reached the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals under their impressive Spanish manager Javi Gracia.
“They’re a proven Premier League team that is always difficult,” Smalling said. “Obviously, earlier in the season we were in a different moment, but that was a close game that eventually we won comfortably [Watford were beaten 2-1 at Vicarage Road in September].”
“But they’ve got a lot of threats and like to play direct with [Troy] Deeney, and they’ve got some good wingers as well, so we know it’s going to be a tough game. But when we’re at home, we need to get on the front foot and take control.
“Quite often they play two up top, so we know it’s not going to be a team that’s just gonna sit back. I think they’ll come on to us, which will hopefully give us more opportunities to come onto them, so it should make for a very good game.” the 29 defender added.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signs a three-year contract as Manchester United manager. (Source:www.telegraph.co.uk)
United welcome Spanish champions Barcelona to the Old Trafford for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s charges are two points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, and three off Tottenham Hotspur in third. And the Norwegian manager believes team will finish in the top four.
Solskjaer, who signed a three-year contract on Thursday, took interim charge in December, since when United have lost just one of 13 league games.
“Yeah, it’ll be exciting. Obviously, we’ve got Chelsea at home, we’ve got Arsenal away, and Tottenham and Chelsea play each other on Wednesday.” Solskjaer said.
“There are going to be so many games that matter in the end, because I don’t think there’ll be many points between fourth, fifth and sixth places.” he added.
