Manchester United

MANCHESTER — Premier League champions Manchester City cruised to a 2-0 win over struggling Manchester United in their derby at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Gifted two goals by United in the first half, City were happy to control the game after the break, while their hosts failed to present any sort of real threat.

It was ultimately a disappointing derby with City's superiority in all areas confirmed abundantly while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's showed once again they simply lack enough quality to mount even a token title bid.

LONDON - A comfortable win at troubled Tottenham Hotspur and then a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired escape from defeat at the hands of Atalanta have taken some of the heat off under-pressure Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But a more severe test of his side's health will come this Saturday when they host Premier League champions Manchester City in the derby — a game fraught with danger for a United side that has been wildly unpredictable this season.

It looked like the writing was on the wall for Ole Gunnar Solskjær on Tuesday in Bergamo. As we entered second half stoppage time, Atalanta held a 2-1 lead. Manchester United’s attack had been disjointed, so much so that Paul Pogba was hooked in the 69th minute and Donny van de Beek was allowed to escape from his cave. 

Manchester United's trip to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday was billed as the last chance saloon for United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but it turned out it was opposite number Nuno Espírito Santo who was being kicked out of the swinging doors on Monday.

Antonio Conte, the former Juventus and Chelsea manager, who was, according to some media reports, about to take over from Solskjaer at United, is now the favorite to be the new Spurs boss.

Coming into Saturday’s showdown, the general consensus was the managers of both Manchester United and Tottenham were fighting for their jobs. Fortunately for Ole Gunnar Solskjær, he has a player like Cristiano Ronaldo in fine form. Unfortunately for Nuno Espírito Santo, his star striker is whatever is the opposite of fine form.

MANCHESTER, England - Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer labelled Sunday's 5-0 hammering at home to Liverpool the "darkest day" he has had as manager of the club but said he had no intention of quitting his role.

United were 4-0 down at halftime after woeful defending against the deadly Liverpool attack, led by hat-trick hero Mohamed Salah.