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Regardless of defeat to Manchester Metropolis opening up an 11-point hole on the highest 4, Erik ten Hag is refusing to throw the towel in on Champions League soccer.
With 11 video games to go, hopes of catching Aston Villa in fourth are fading quick, however the prospect of the Premier League’s high 5 touchdown Champions League soccer for subsequent season stays a carrot for United to chase.
Proper now fifth place is Tottenham, six factors forward of United having performed one sport much less. The percentages will not be in United’s favour.
‘From this 12 months on, I feel we’re actually progressing,’ Ten Hag mentioned after the 3-1 loss to Man Metropolis. ‘You must get some factors again after which it’s important to win a sport like in the present day towards Metropolis.
‘There are nonetheless many video games to play. Everybody can beat everybody, so issues can rapidly flip round. We have now to win our video games. Quantity 5 may also be a place for the Champions League, so we now have to combat for it.’
Erik ten Hag thinks Manchester United can nonetheless safe Champions League soccer this season
Defeat to Manchester Metropolis signifies that United are 11 factors adrift of Aston Villa in fourth place
The Dutchman is just not giving up and with the eyes of latest minority homeowners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos glued to his outcomes, it is no nice shock he is making an attempt to take care of some optimism.
However how doubtless is it that United can overthrow one in every of Aston Villa or Tottenham, or each?
Mail Sport tries to foretell Manchester United’s outcomes by way of the ultimate 11 Premier League matches…
EVERTON (H)
Saturday, March 9 – 12.30
If Erik ten Hag’s confidence in securing Champions League soccer for subsequent season is definitely real and never simply blind religion, this must be nothing apart from three factors.
United have been closely criticised for the meek second half combat they confirmed in defeat to Manchester Metropolis and having misplaced final day trip at residence to Fulham, a response is required.
Alejandro Garnacho scored the Objective of the Season – the award was wrapped up that day – within the reverse sport with a stupendous overhead kick, and given United’s struggles in assault since Rasmus Hojlund’s damage, extra magic could also be required right here.
Everton are winless of their final 5 league matches and journey to Previous Trafford with out a win on the highway since December 16.
PREDICTION: Win
Final time United performed Everton, Alejandro Garnacho produced this emphatic overhead kick
SHEFFIELD UNITED (H)
TBC
Postponed because of United’s progress to the FA Cup quarter-finals, this stays a sport that United merely must win.
Sheffield United have been dreadfully poor this season and look doomed to make a direct return to the Championship.
Man United made exhausting work of it up at Bramall Lane however at Previous Trafford they merely can’t afford to provide the Blades an inch.
Ought to have essential items to their crew again by the point this sport comes spherical.
PREDICTION: Win
Chris Wilder’s return to Sheffield United has not introduced outcomes and they’re set for relegation
BRENTFORD (A)
Saturday, March 30 – 20.00
A late night time journey to Brentford to shut out March has all of the hallmarks of a banana pores and skin in ready for Ten Hag and his gamers.
United gained 3-1 on their first go to right here within the Premier League in January 2022, solely to be hammered initially of final season 4-0 in an embarrassing afternoon for United.
Brentford have undoubtedly struggled this season, not least with star man Ivan Toney out for the primary half of the season resulting from a betting ban.
The Bees have not saved a clear sheet in any of their final 10 matches at residence within the league, and have been crushed closely by Liverpool and Man Metropolis in west London.
However their spirit within the 2-2 draw with Chelsea is extra like what United will anticipate in entrance of the TV cameras. Anticipate a battle beneath the lights.
PREDICTION: Draw
Brentford wrestle for clear sheets however have sufficient spirit to squeeze a draw from United
CHELSEA (A)
Thursday, April 4 – 20.15
Having saved simply two clear sheets from their final 12 matches in all competitions, United ought to really feel fairly assured that they will go to Stamford Bridge and discover the again of the online.
Chelsea wasted some superb alternatives at Previous Trafford and ultimately paid the worth in a 2-1 defeat after Scott McTominay’s brace.
A match-up of 4-2-3-1 techniques, United’s means on the counter assault with Hojlund-Garnacho-Rashford in full flight leans this one in the direction of an away win.
And if they’ve doubts, simply take a look at the blueprint Wolves laid out with their 4-2 win there solely lately…
PREDICTION: Win
LIVERPOOL (H)
Sunday, April 7 – 15.30
This can damage United followers however with the title race so tight between three groups, this one solely seems like ending a technique.
It might be no shock to see United really get the higher of Liverpool within the FA Cup after which the Merseysiders getting their revenge within the league.
As optimistic as Ten Hag is about Champions League soccer, they will not go the rest of the season unbeaten and Liverpool’s high quality ought to see them convey United again all the way down to work after beating Chelsea a couple of days earlier.
PREDICTION: Lose
United gave up possession to dig in for a draw at Anfield however will not get that luxurious at residence
BOURNEMOUTH (A)
Sunday, April 14 – 16.30
This one could possibly be introduced ahead a day if Aston Villa get previous Ajax within the Europa Convention League – and it is going to be removed from simple on the south coast.
Andoni Iraola’s aspect produced an emphatic 3-0 win at Previous Trafford earlier within the season and United will little doubt be extremely motivated to avenge for that walloping.
Bournemouth have the seventeenth finest residence report within the league and have regarded far more at residence when on their travels, one thing United can be nicely conscious of.
Anticipate one other shut affair with a slim United win.
PREDICTION: Win
NEWCASTLE (H)
Saturday, April 20 – 15.00* (*depending on FA Cup progress)
This one can be rearranged if both aspect progress to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Newcastle have been hampered by damage, very like Man United, this season and have not been the pressure they have been a season in the past.
Nonetheless, they continue to be a tricky out for groups and have crushed Erik ten Hag’s prices twice already on this marketing campaign.
United ought to have sufficient about them to stop a 3rd shut-out – however a draw feels extra doubtless than a win given the 0-4 mixture in Newcastle’s favour thus far this season on this fixture.
PREDICTION: Draw
Anthony Gordon and Newcastle turned United over when the perimeters met again at St James’ Park
BURNLEY (H)
Saturday, April 27 – 15.00
Burnley solely look to be heading in a single route and it is not up.
Mired in a relegation battle, Vincent Kompany’s aspect must be dealt with with some ease if United are severe about ending the season with Champions League soccer to their identify.
United squeezed out a slim win at Turf Moor earlier within the season because of a wonderful volley from Bruno Fernandes.
With Burnley successful solely two of their 13 away video games on the time of writing, absolutely even United cannot fluff their traces on this one?
PREDICTION: Win
Burnley look to be heading straight again to the Championship following a depressing marketing campaign
CRYSTAL PALACE (A)
Saturday, Might 4 – 15.00
Having didn’t win any of their earlier three journeys to Selhurst Park, there’s sufficient proof to recommend it’s a sticky spot for United.
Palace did a job on United up at Previous Trafford earlier this season within the league and with Oliver Glasner now in cost, it will once more be a tricky journey to south London.
United are admirers of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze and if these two are match to play United can have their fingers full.
This can be crunch time if they’re nonetheless within the hunt for fourth or fifth and but a draw feels the most secure guess.
PREDICTION: Draw
Oliver Glasner is decided to enhance Crystal Palace’s fortunes after taking up mid-season
ARSENAL (H)
Saturday, Might 11 – 15.00
It seems like a case of choosing your poison for United watching this title race unfold.
Liverpool successful it’s a fan’s worst case state of affairs, adopted by Metropolis, after which Arsenal. However United followers detest the concept that the Gunners arrive at Previous Trafford as champions and get a guard of honour.
Nonetheless, if it stays nip-and-tuck within the title race United may stroll straight into the storm with this free-scoring Arsenal aspect.
United really performed nicely on the Emirates Stadium earlier than a late collapse however the circumstances are completely different now and these are two groups with very completely different momentums proper now.
If Arsenal have realized from final season they’re going to be capable of stroll out of Previous Trafford with three factors.
PREDICTION: Lose
Arsenal need to dethrone Man Metropolis as champions and they’ll win at Previous Trafford if severe
BRIGHTON (A)
Sunday, Might 19 – 16.00
4 defeats of their final 5 video games towards Brighton makes this a possible nightmarish fixture to finish the season on.
That one win got here in an FA Cup semi-final penalty shootout at Wembley and so this has been a fixture Brighton have dominated in latest occasions.
Roberto De Zerbi is considered as one of many contenders to switch Ten Hag ought to Ineos transfer him on and right here is one other audition – if one is even required.
At Previous Trafford within the reverse sport Brighton made an in-game tactical change and it fully flummoxed United.
With the solar out and the season drawing to a detailed, anticipate a draw on this one with each side not having an important deal to play for.
PREDICTION: Draw
POINTS: 19/33
FINAL TALLY: 63 factors
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