Maybe, but to me we do look on the cusp of going on a decent run to me, and with Palace, West Brom, Sunderland, and Boro all in late December we could easily close the gap, not saying it's likely, more making the point that we are only 8 points behind with 75 still to play for yet.
Top 4 race 2016/17
- Thread starter Yorkeontop
- Start date
Maybe, but to me we do look on the cusp of going on a decent run to me, and with Palace, West Brom, Sunderland, and Boro all in late December we could easily close the gap, not saying it's likely, more making the point that we are only 8 points behind with 75 still to play for yet.
We had 9 points from our first 3 games, we gained 11 points since then over 10 games. That would be a sackable run of form for a team like Stoke, let alone United especially after the amount of money invested into the squad.
It's foolish to ignore the evidence in front of your eyes and instead blindly hope we turn things around. Fact is we look miles behind the current top 4 in every conceivable way. Even if Ferguson was manager I'd find it difficult to believe we could overcome the current gulf in quality and the point gap.
- Its still early in the season (Considering the 8pt gap. More than enough time to make up)
- Janary transfer window
- clubs above WILL drop points (we've hit a bit of a rut at the moment, Lallana, Sturridge, Coutinho injured now. (AKA All of creativity). Luckily got past a poor Sunderland side) Manchester City aren't winning convincingly.
- No question about quality in your squad, its just a case of finding a system and giving it time to gel. (And players currently being out of form)
Thats just of the top of my head.
Oh also the first three games of the seaon (which you picked up 9pts) you played well. convincingly well. I refuse to believe that has just dissapeared.
How is a Liverpool fan more confident about United in the top 4 than United fans 
I'm not quite as convinced. The main problem is the inability to score goals. They've dropped a lot of points, and more importantly, don't look like they can go on a run to catch up.
It's still early days though. I'd save the gloom during the New Year.
It's still early days though. I'd save the gloom during the New Year.
With Everton (A), Spurs (H), Palace (A), WBA (A), Sunderland (H), Middlesbro (H), West Ham (A), Liverpool (H) and Stoke (A) before the end of January it's more likely you'll be lower, and even more points behind, than now.
There's only 2 relatively easy matches (as if any matches in the PL are easy nowadays) and those are at home against Double Decker teams.
That's all fine but of course is hugely dependent on us going on a winning run. We are not able to string 2 wins together.
How is a Liverpool fan more confident about United in the top 4 than United fans
Pool fans are well versed in the art of baseless optimism.
Its not baseless.
Pool fans have learnt the hard way that nothing is over until its over.
Secondly, fans of United, or any club for that matter are the worst at giving valid opinion on the current state of the club. Why? because you support them.
You either overestimate yourselves or underestimate, no inbetween. And at the moment you guys are acting like youre fighting for relegation, when in fact one win for you and a loss for Arsenal puts you 5pts behind 4th. 5!!!!!!!
Thats how early we are in the season.
How is a Liverpool fan more confident about United in the top 4 than United fans
The good old reverse-jinx.
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It's done for. We're not getting top 4.
Unless we can fluke the Europa League, we'll be without CL for the 3rd time in 4 season. Just unthinkable. I just hope Mourinho stays, because sacking him does nothing.
Unless we can fluke the Europa League, we'll be without CL for the 3rd time in 4 season. Just unthinkable. I just hope Mourinho stays, because sacking him does nothing.
I think we'll go on a run at some point too but it's not enough. We also need at least one of the top 4 to also drop 'easy' points at home multiple times as we have done.
I like your optimism, but that feels very much like the last couple of years! Where we start thinking, well, we could go on a good run and it doesn't usually happen.
I'm in a bit of shock we've racked up 5 home games in the league we haven't won by end of November!
We haven't played Chelsea, Liverpool or Tottenham here yet! And if you can't beat Stoke, Burnley and West Ham, three of the biggest bankers, it's very worrying.
I'm confident that we can achieve top 4 if we win all of our remaining matches.
5 points is a fair chunk though. And that only happens IF we win a game they lose!
We can't put a run of 2 wins together!
Strangely though, against this negativity, we're actually playing some good stuff. It really is a headruck season!
We won't be in any race so it's going to be yet another relaxed year. The only tension is going to arise if Liverpool are leading the table in March.
Mate, I understand where you are coming from, but we can't keep sacking managers. Everytime we sack a manager, we effectively hit the reset button and start from scratch. We won't win anything if we keep doing that.
If that's all we've got, then that's what I'll do, as things stand we could still finish on 95 points, until we reach a a point where we can get no more than 70 points then I won't give up on it, I just refuse to get sucked into the vacuum of despair that has been the last three seasons.
I never felt we stood much chance of achieving much during the last three seasons the way we were playing, and I know Jose is hardly pulling up any trees, but undeniably it is better, and for now that'll do.
It's soo annoying I've watched man city and arsenal play like complete crap for weeks and get gifted goals. We've been far better performance wise but can't buy a freaking result it's ridiculous.
I don't agree with that logic, 10 games is a good enough sample size when you are losing investment values on players like Martial and Shaw. The manager himself doesn't seem capable of handling the pressure, judging by what happened to him at Chelsea and him getting sent off twice in three league games now. That isn't the model of a man who is composed and willing to work with a cooler brain.
Reckon Arsenal are definitely the ones.
Getting into the top 4 will likely require somewhere around the 72-75 point mark, which still gives us 20 points or so to play with, yes it's unlikely but it's hardly beyond the realms of possibility.
A rut? One point off top. Won yesterday having dominated. Played really well the week before but missed sitters (it happens). Hardly a rut, more like sustaining the excellent form.
We're no longer chasing the championship we're chasing the top 4 and believe me at least one of those will capitulate at some point. We will make the top 4. The tide is turning. Results follow performances and luck evens it's self out over a season (or 2!)
Already resigned to not making it. to be honest. It'll probably stay as it is.
Europa League is definitely our best chance of CL football, though I can't see us winning that either.
Europa League is definitely our best chance of CL football, though I can't see us winning that either.
5pts is nothing.
After January, yeah 5pts can be a concern. But now? heck no.
And yes, it only happens if Arsenal lose and you win, but come on thats not totally out of the realms of possibility. Sunday the 18th December, Arsenal play City at the Etihad while you travel to West Brom.
Now, obviously points will be dropped before then, but thats for both sides. I can see Arsenal drawing to Southampton.
Rut is the wrong word to use, what I mean is I can sense a bad run of form coming, we drew to Southampton.... then just about got past Sunderland, and now we got injuries building up. The signs are there for a rut.
We'll see how we manage in the next few games, but the last two performances have been anything but our usual best.
Can't see who of the current top 4 will collapse enough to let you guys back in. Maybe enough to make it interesting but not collapse completely.
Usually around 70 points is the top 4 "target", but with the current fourth placed team doing better than any other fourth placed team after 13 games has previously, I think it could even be pushing close to 80 (see 07-08). Can't see any of the current top 4 collapsing enough to let us back in unfortunately. All we can do now is focus on our own form. In previous seasons there were weeks when quite a few of the top four sides struggled but not really been the case this season - and when it has happened we've dropped points too.
How is a Liverpool fan more confident about United in the top 4 than United fans
They have always been a deluded bunch
This is why I argued, EL is more likely to get in CL. Top 4 no chance, EL small chance.
Thread title should be changed to Top 6 race. Thats how far we have fallen.
City have Aguero (plus KDB), Chelsea have Costa (plus Hazard) and Arsenal have Sanchez (plus Ozil). These deadly partnerships will ensure a top 4 finish even with slight injuries and loss of form.
So really Utd are realistically 10 points behind a top four spot (i.e. Liverpool). 11 if you take goal difference into account. Best chance to make up ground is now while Liverpool's attack has been ripped out with injuries. That's why today's result and Spurs yesterday was very important for us.
So really Utd are realistically 10 points behind a top four spot (i.e. Liverpool). 11 if you take goal difference into account. Best chance to make up ground is now while Liverpool's attack has been ripped out with injuries. That's why today's result and Spurs yesterday was very important for us.
Our attack's not completely gone. Firmino is fine and Lallana should be back for Bournemouth next week. It's only Coutinho we have to worry about. I'm hoping he's only out for a few weeks as our fixtures are very winnable up until City on 31st December, but I'd still back us against them at Anfield.
I dont blame Mourinho but top 4 is gone.
Top 4 pretty much over by end of November. Boy, is that depressing.
I think while Jose continues to make the same mistakes with his line ups then the gap will keep increasing like it has been anyways to the point we could end up 7th.
I think while Jose continues to make the same mistakes with his line ups then the gap will keep increasing like it has been anyways to the point we could end up 7th.
Interesting table - 06/07 looked fun.
Who knows what will happen but looking at the fixtures coming up I don't see a reason to believe form will dip. Liverpool played very well yesterday and played very well against Southampton. The draw against Southampton was utterly one-sided; on another day would have been a solid win. Apart from Burnley away and United at home, Liverpool's level of performance has been extremely high and that includes the last two games.
Sadly looks to be the case.
You really did in the first half. Thought you would go on and win convincingly.
Not sure of the rule when the manager gets red carded, can he still go into the dressing room at half time or is he banned? It seemed to me he wasn't in there as your second half performance was way lower in intensity imo.
It seemed to me the tactics changed when they didn't need to. Utd where we'll on top but seemed to allow them back into it. Funny game really.
Still think you're improving though a I think Pogba had his best game. Certainly in the first half for you.