Red Alert With Steve Shanyaski

After a fantastic performance against Istanbul last night, we sit top of our group in the Champions League and merely need a draw to qualify.

‘Merely’ is not a word often used to describe a needed result in the world’s greatest football tournament.

Paris Saint-Germain will be our next Champions League game on the day we come out of national lockdown on December 2^nd.  Fingers are crossed that we might even be allowed a casque ale in a pub with a wood fire while we watch it, but if 2020 has taught us anything it is not to be overly optimistic about socialising.

It was a sizzling first half performance that sealed the match against Istanbul, and for me it felt like the performance and result I expected to happen the first time we met them in Turkey. We come away from last night’s game with not only a win, but lots of positives. Bruno was on incredible form, and his first goal was like a Paul Scholes speciality half volley.

Both Bruno and Donny Van De Beek bossed the midfield in the first half, with creative passing and awareness of teammate’s runs and positions. It was fantastic to see Van De Beek start, and show Ole and the fans what he’s all about. There should be no doubt that although Donny is a young player, he has had to deal with enormous pressure and responsibility getting Ajax to their recent levels of success. More trust should be put in this player and his ability to cope with pressure. It was great to see Daniel James break his goal drought, but it was through a perfect assist from Greenwood who I thought for the short time he played, was fierce and wanted to hammer the Istanbul goal. Greenwood will without doubt be a world class player of the future.  Another mention should go to Alex Telles and his superb crosses. Knowing there’s a player on the left wing that wants and can put a ball into the mixer at any moment hugely advantages us and puts the opposition under constant pressure.

But, as always, it isn’t all “gravy”. There were times when Istanbul broke through our defences and had clear chances that they spurned. My concern is that a better team, and there are plenty even in the Premier League, would have punished us for these defensive lapses. I think this is where Solskjaer's problem lies. He started the Istanbul game with a positive, aggressive looking lineup. Rashford and Martial providing fierce pace and dribbling ability on the right and left wing, and Cavani sat in the middle. Bruno and DVDB in midfield creating chances and making things happen. You can do this against Istanbul because they are really not great, and our first defeat against them was a glitch in the Matrix.

Against Southampton who we face this Sunday and are now on their seventh PL win back-to-back, Ole may again look at the back four and decide they need support. It’s ridiculous to think we have the most expensive defender in the world as our centre back, but he needs protecting by a pair of defensive midfielders like Fred and Matic but its plain to see the manager's mentality behind it. Ole has started the previous few PL games with this hugely defensive set up, and it’s been excruciating to watch at times. It’s time for Ole to release the attacking talent into the Premier League matches, and start these matches with confidence. Southampton away this Sunday will be an exciting and challenging game, but a win here is vital to us reducing the gap from the top four.  It may also pull us further away from our noisy blue neighbours, which is fun while it lasts.