Manchester United’s preparations for their make-or-break Premier League clash with Watford got off to a poor start, with players left stranded in a car park for almost an hour.
The Red Devils make the journey down to Vicarage Road looking to arrest a slump which has seen them pick up just four points from a possible 18.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is facing growing calls for him to be sacked and he could face the axe if his side fail to pick up all three points against the Hornets.
United’s players boarded a flight from Manchester Airport on Friday night, despite coming in for criticism for flying to Leicester last month.
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The club were forced to defend their position following their 10-minute, 100-mile flight to the East Midlands.
United said that decisions on travel are taken “based on operational circumstances” and cited their green credentials.
In direct response to flak after the Leicester game, they said: “They have a policy to purchase certified green electricity for all club buildings and facilities.
“They achieved the Carbon Trust Standard certification for a sixth consecutive year in 2020, demonstrating their successful commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions annually; they are the first sports club within the UK to achieve the Carbon Trust Standard.
“The Manchester United Energy and Carbon Reduction Programme has achieved 12 consecutive years of energy and carbon reductions, despite the club having grown significantly during that time.
“Since the programme’s launch in 2008, they have reduced annual carbon emissions by over 2,700 tonnes, a reduction equivalent to emissions produced by 540 homes for a year.”
Meanwhile, Solskjaer has outlined how he feels the two-week break from their hammering against Manchester City will benefit his beleaguered squad.
“It’s been a long international break but it’s one that we’ve utilised to our benefit, we feel it’s been a good response from the players and we’re ready for the Watford game,” he explained.
“We’ve been through periods like this before. Our away form, we’ve just gone 30-odd games and lost one.
eaped praise on his player claiming any speculation regarding his future hasn’t seen his performance levels drop on the training pitches of Carrington.
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“Last season we turned it around and went on a run of 20-odd games and one defeat, that’s the kind of run we need to get back.
“This week we’ve prioritised a few things we have to improve on. Form and performances haven’t been good enough.
“ We can do better, should do better and it’s down to performances on the day, human beings, sometimes you hit the post and it goes out, sometimes it goes in, that can affect the mood, atmosphere. We’ve got to focus on getting the start right.”
He added: “We know the poor run of form puts ourselves under pressure but that pressure should be a joy, it should be something that makes us a better team and makes every player perform at their best level.
“The players, the staff, myself and the club, we are all working towards one goal and that’s for this team to improve and get better results.
“You know when you lose a game you’re always disappointed and under pressure. We’ve communicated well and openly and honestly.
“There’s one game now that matters but also there’s what goes on after that. We’re all refreshed, this week has been really good in training and we’re ready for tomorrow.
“We’ve corrected a few things, put some things right. I’m sure we’ll see a reaction and a good performance tomorrow.”
Man Utd stars forced to wait in car park for nearly an hour ahead of flight to Watford
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