Manchester United are facing a tough challenge to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, as they trail fourth-placed Aston Villa by 11 points with 11 games left in the Premier League. The Red Devils also need to hope that the league gets five spots in the expanded competition, which depends on the performances of other English teams in Europe.
United’s disappointing season
Manchester United have had a disappointing season under manager Erik ten Hag, who took over from Ralf Rangnick in December 2022. The Dutchman has failed to improve the team’s results, as they have lost 11 games in the league, one short of their worst return in 2022 and 2013-14. They have also been knocked out of the FA Cup by Liverpool and the League Cup by Chelsea.
United’s problems have been compounded by the poor form of some of their key players, such as Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford. Pogba has been banned for four years for doping, Fernandes has been criticised for his lack of impact and his TikTok videos, and Rashford has been struggling with injuries and off-field issues. The club’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear that he expects better results and Champions League qualification.
United’s slim hopes
Despite the bleak situation, Ten Hag is refusing to give up on the Champions League, which he considers the club’s main objective. He believes that his team can still catch up with Villa or Tottenham, who are six points ahead of United in fifth place with a game in hand. He also hopes that the league will get an extra spot in the Champions League, which is possible if English teams finish in the top two of Uefa’s ‘Performance Slots’ based on their results in all three European competitions.
Ten Hag said: “It can be a quick turnaround. We have to go into another final and try and get closer to them. It can be an advantage that fifth spot can also be a Champions League spot, so we have to go for it and win our games.”
However, United’s task is not easy, as they have a difficult run-in, including games against Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea. They also have no advantage over Villa or Tottenham, as they have already played both teams twice. Moreover, they need other teams to help them, such as City and Liverpool, who are competing for the title and the Performance Slots, and Villa and Tottenham, who are rivals for the fourth and fifth places.
United’s latest setback
United’s hopes suffered a major blow on Sunday, when they lost 3-1 to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. United took an early lead through Rashford’s stunning strike, but City fought back with goals from Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, and Raheem Sterling. United had only 26% possession and three shots in the game, their lowest since 2003.
Ten Hag defended his team’s performance, saying: “Football is not just about possession. Of course you need the ball to score a goal but in the first 20 minutes we had more opportunities and we defended brilliantly out of possession. In defining moments we didn’t have it on our side because at 1-1 Rashford was in another break, and just before the 2-1 it was Garnacho in the breakthrough. But we were really close to winning or at least getting a point.”
However, many fans and pundits were not impressed by United’s display, and questioned Ten Hag’s tactics and future at the club. Former United captain Roy Keane said: “That was a shocking performance from United. They were outplayed, outclassed, and outfought by City. Ten Hag got it all wrong. He set up his team to defend and hope for a miracle. He has no idea how to get the best out of this squad. He should be sacked before it gets worse.”
United’s next challenge
United have little time to dwell on their defeat, as they face another tough test on Wednesday, when they host Liverpool at Old Trafford. Liverpool are the reigning champions and the leaders of the Premier League, with a 10-point gap over second-placed City. They have also won the FA Cup and the League Cup this season, and are aiming for a historic quadruple.
Liverpool have been unstoppable this season, thanks to the brilliance of their manager Jurgen Klopp and their young stars, such as Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, Bobby Clark, Trey Nyoni, Conor Bradley, James McConnell, and Jarell Quansah. They have scored 102 goals and conceded only 18 in the league, and have won 28 of their 29 games, drawing only once against Chelsea.
United will need to produce a miracle to beat Liverpool, who have won their last five meetings, including a 4-0 thrashing at Anfield in April 2022. Ten Hag will have to find a way to motivate his players, who have been underperforming and under pressure. He will also have to deal with the absence of Pogba, who is suspended, and the doubts over Rashford, who is injured.
Ten Hag said: “We know Liverpool are a great team, but we are not afraid of them. We have to show our character and our quality. We have to play with courage and passion. We have to give everything for the club and the fans. We have to believe that we can win.”
Will United be able to pull off a surprise and keep their Champions League hopes alive? Or will Liverpool continue their dominance and crush their rivals? The answer will be revealed on Wednesday night, in what promises to be a thrilling and decisive clash.
