The form guide shows we’re not just winning games easily and can look forward saying we’ll beat those best those etc.
its basically banking on everyone else being less shit, not that we can go and get lots of points to secure it
Race for top 4 | Finito.
- Thread starter Andycoleno9
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its basically banking on everyone else being less shit, not that we can go and get lots of points to secure it
Or you could look at it with a positive winning mindset and say this has been the slump that every team goes through and we’ll push on from here. If not and results continue to be iffy, that table shows we’ll probably still be fine regardless.
Assuming United advance in both Europa League and to the FA Cup semis I think after the international break ETH will have to start making some tough decisions about resting Bruno and Rashford. United will play every single midweek until the end of the season if they get to semis in both cups. Even assuming both players rest this Thursday against Betis there are 20 more matches before the end of the season if the club makes both finals, so 1800 more minutes at max. Bruno is already on 3684 minutes and Rashford already on 3148. Bruno has been an ironman since coming to United (he did 4600 one year) but its really rare for PL midfielders and attackers to go above 4000 and almost nobody ever goes above 4300.
The ideal scenario for United has been to be comfortable enough for top four that they could rest these guys in some league matches in April/May but I don't know if that's how things will shape up.
The ideal scenario for United has been to be comfortable enough for top four that they could rest these guys in some league matches in April/May but I don't know if that's how things will shape up.
I can be positive and hope we do pick up a bit of form, against everything that’s happening to us without thinking it’s garunteed as some are suggesting.
getting Eriksen back in April hopefully will help ease Bruno’s load. I have zero faith Martial can come back and help relieve Rashy
this might go to the last couple of games - hoping Liverpools run of games in first few days of April totally knock them out of contention
They have
City A
Chelsea A
Arse H
We have
Newc A
Brentford H
Everton H
Spurs
Everton A
Brighton H
Bourn H
Newc
United H
WHU A
Brent A
They have
City A
Chelsea A
Arse H
We have
Newc A
Brentford H
Everton H
Spurs
Everton A
Brighton H
Bourn H
Newc
United H
WHU A
Brent A
I strongly believe that we will make it into the top 4 comfortably. However I think that ETH should be more pragmatic in team selection in our next 4 games coming up especially with Casemiro suspended.
Fred and Martinez should be in our double pivot in PL games till Casemiro returns.
Fred and Martinez should be in our double pivot in PL games till Casemiro returns.
They are dropping less points than their top 4 rivals. The form table suggests they’ve gathered as many or more points than everyone (bar City and Arsenal) over the last few weeks.
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I think it's probably an excellent example of how media can affect our perceptions. There's ( rightly) been a lot of negative media around the club recently, for various reasons. Which kind of masks the fact that our form isn't actually that bad and we're sitting in the top 4.
Awful cup run and style of play at the moment though and a lot of disquiet around the stadium.
With Casemiro, Eriksen and Garnacho out we definitely have an injury crisis on our hands. Top 4 has gone from secure to severely under threat. It's going to he hard for us to stay in.
If we beat Newcastle obviously things start looking better again but it's going to be very hard.
If we beat Newcastle obviously things start looking better again but it's going to be very hard.
I think people are taking top 4 far too complacently.
Even when United have secured top 4 in recent year they've always made a complete meal of it and forced themselves into trouble. I see it happening again unfortunately. I think United will get it due to their home form and knowing all the other teams will lose points too. But I think it won't be mathematically safe until May
It will very likely go down to the wire. If we beat Fulham this weekend we'll still have 7 games left from the 29th April, Spurs and Newcastle will have only 5. (we'll have Chelsea and Brighton to fit in).
I assume if we lose to Newcastle it will be closer to a 50/50 than the current 75% chance on the betting exchanges.
Can't see us beating Fulham this weekend helping that much in the top 4 race.
I'm guessing you're trying to be funny, but you're probably right given the fixture pile up.
More that it's an FA Cup game mate - but I see you were just referring to fixtures, got it.
Whoosh
So assuming we play the obvious XI, the available subs for next games are:
Sancho
Elanga
Mainoo
+ CBs and FBs.
Anyone knows what's up with Sabitzer?
Sancho
Elanga
Mainoo
+ CBs and FBs.
Anyone knows what's up with Sabitzer?
Some kind of knee injury I think I read.
This is the real test ETH has shown he is of a high calibre with resources but the team is depleted through injury it's going to take grit and determination to get it over the line.
Give me a point at Newcastle then have to beat Brentford and Everton in following games
1 point out of the last 6 that were there for the taking is worrying, but third place is still ours to lose. Can’t fekk it up.
Tony needs to get himself fit pronto
Anyone clinging to the idea that top four is a walk in the park for United (and there were plenty after Newcastle’s win last weekend), is seriously deluded.
Slightly nervous now
To be fair despite two late Newcastle wins they look like they could drop points in literally every single game.
Think it's scripted for Newcastle to have their revenge. Still think we'll make it but will go down to the wire.
So do we though.
Could we be 5th after our next league match. Got a lot of work to do to finish top four still, especially with those three big away matches.
Absolutely bloody ridiculous. Two goals in injury time in both halves.
We've not played many league matches this month to be fair.
Yeah I’d say they look even more ropey than us. We have good fixtures compared to them as well.
Hoping for a spurs draw or loss tomorrow. I am still confident, but we need it to be more comfortable if we are gonna win the Cups as well.
I think we lose v Newcastle the pressure will get to this lot after dropping out of the top 4. A draw and one at Spurs and I think we’ll be fine though. We lose both, top 4 is gone for me.
Also the pressure to win Europa will increase massively if we start fecking up in the league.
Exciting times ahead at least.
Also the pressure to win Europa will increase massively if we start fecking up in the league.
Exciting times ahead at least.
Both them and Brighton still generally look excellent on the analytical side of things. Dominating chance creation.
Yes. It will be very tough and Casemiro suspended for 3 PL games. But we have a good chance in the EL with Eriksen and Martial available soon hopefully.
Frustrating they won,however can't argue with the result from that second half
I’d rather win a treble and finish 5th, and it secures CL football anyway
We have two shots at CL football and we should be taking one of them when you look at the Europa League teams left and the PL table
Would be failure if we didn’t
We have two shots at CL football and we should be taking one of them when you look at the Europa League teams left and the PL table
Would be failure if we didn’t
After Newcastle play us at St James their next 5 games are
West Ham A
Brentford A
Villa A
Spurs H
Everton A
I'd be surprised if they're still close to us after that.
West Ham A
Brentford A
Villa A
Spurs H
Everton A
I'd be surprised if they're still close to us after that.
Sigh. I'm sick of the top 4 race. Again, a rival winning with a 90+ minute goal... Spurs are obviously destroying Southampton tomorrow.
It isn't looking good for us. The EL might be our best chance actually.
It isn't looking good for us. The EL might be our best chance actually.
If they can keep Isak fit they will make top 4.
We need Spurs to do a Spurs tomorrow.