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Manchester United face Chelsea in a nerve-wracking FA Cup 5th round tie against reigning champions, Chelsea. While the task of overcoming the Blues is difficult, it is not at all impossible.
The match is important for Manchester United and above all, for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Here we present 5 reasons why Manchester United vs Chelsea is so crucial for Solskjaer:
#5 Beginning of a Tricky Period
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been superb for the Red Devils ever since he took on the role of Manchester United's caretaker manager. The Norwegian has won 10 out of 12 matches, with PSG being the only one to defeat Manchester United. While the run has been magnificent till now, things get a bit serious hereon as the road ahead is filled with tricky opponents.
The series of demanding fixtures begins on Tuesday as Manchester United travel to Stamford Bridge to take on the Blues, in what would be a repeat on previous season's finale.
After Chelsea, United host the league leaders, Liverpool. A couple of tricky fixtures against Crystal Palace and Southampton are to be played before the daunting task to reaching the quarter-finals of Champions League surfaces, as The Red Devils travel to Paris to take on PSG in the 2nd leg of their UCL round of 16 matchup.
United face quite a task as PSG hold a 2 goal advantage, and they will need something special from Solskjaer's men to overcome the French giants.
The road doesn't end there as then comes Premier League fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester City.
If Solskjaer is to be appointed as the permanent manager, then this tricky period has to go well for Manchester United and that starts against Chelsea.
#4 Confidence in knockout matches
What defined Sir Alex Ferguson's glorious period was Manchester United's ability to win the matches that matter. Matches which had the hearts racing, matches which the fans so dearly wanted their team to win.
Knockout fixtures define a team's character, because it's here when the nerves get racing & when the true champions emerge.
If Solskjaer is to take this United side to great heights, then he has got to get them believing in themselves. His young squad needs a champion's mentality and that simply comes by winning big, important knockout fixtures.
Manchester United have to get used to winning knockout fixtures in order to mould themselves into genuine world beaters.
#3 Put behind the PSG disappointment
The honeymoon period came to an end for Manchester United and for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as the Red Devils were defeated by French giants PSG in the first leg of the round of 16 UCL clash. While Manchester United face a mountain ahead if they are to overcome this 2 goal deficit against PSG in the second leg, we still can't count them out.
With that being said, there is no denying the fact that Manchester United have been terrific, and one disappointing defeat doesn’t undermine the performances displayed by the Manchester club under Solskjaer.
Manchester United step on the field for the first time ever since their disappointing loss at the hands of PSG and their opponents are none other than the reigning FA Cup champions, Chelsea.
A win would surely get the morale right and give the fans, the players the inspiration and the motivation needed to commence forward.
Manchester United aren’t exposed, they were just sloppy on the day!
#2 Chance of a Silverware
While the resurgence has been commendable, the chances of United grabbing the Premier League or the Champions League look a very bleak.
United fell far behind under Mourinho's regime and it was their poor showing in the Premier League that led to his departure. Solskjaer has brought a fresh air at United, and the Old Trafford devotees are delighted to see their side back in the top 4.
United sit on the 4th position as of now, with 51 points in their kitty. The comeback is mighty impressive, but the difference is quite enormous between them and the table-toppers Liverpool, who've achieved 65 points in the same number of matches.
Premier League is a far sight and it seems the primary mission for Ole is to maintain United's position in the top 4. League cup is out of the equation as Manchester United were ousted by minnows Derby County on penalties.
With their recent loss to PSG at home, UCL too seems to be a distant feat.
FA Cup remains Solskjaer's only real hope of securing a silverware this season
#1 Credibility in Big Matches
It is often said that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. It is matches like these which truly shape a manager’s career. Sir Alex relished the opportunity to square off against a big team. Fergie was never one to shy away from a tough opponent, and his philosophy and his confidence was portrayed by Manchester United on those tricky away nights in Europe.
What Solskjaer truly needs is to shape this United team into someone well capable of taking on the best there is to offer anywhere in the world. While Manchester United have had a tremendous start under Solskjaer, they haven't really faced a real world class unit apart from PSG, and we all know what happened there. This Chelsea side is filled with star performers and United's history against the Blues hasn't been really pleasant in the recent past.
The Red Devils have lost their last 4 FA cup ties to Chelsea, including the previous season's final at Wembley. Solskjaer needs his team to bounce back from the PSG defeat and beat Chelsea and go through the next round.
