It was a string of performances that could derail Manchester United’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. But instead, difficult fixtures this season have given Erik Ten Hag’s side a boost in their bid to keep their Premier League season alive.
Four of their last five league games have come against top-flight sides, three of them against the promoted sides, but United have lost just once. This was the only team they faced in the bottom half of the table. table. . Wins against Aston Villa, Wolves and West Ham and a draw against Tottenham rounded off a positive week. The defeat at the Stadtsterrain is their only one in their last seven games, and while some shortcomings still need to be ironed out, Ten Haag can suddenly look ahead with something positive. His side reached the fifth round of the FA Cup and returned to sixth place in the Premier League.
A return to the Champions League seemed impossible for most of this season, but after some encouraging results in the league, it doesn’t look likely. United are eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and six points behind fifth-placed Tottenham. If English clubs do enough in Europe to finish the year in the top two UEFA rankings, that could be enough this season. Manchester City and Liverpool are likely to progress into the Champions League and Europa League after European competition resumes this month, but what can United do with that bonus?
The early exits of Manchester United and Newcastle United from the continental competition hurt their chances of picking up enough points to guarantee a bonus points place. But there remain many teams in Europe who could make an impact – Arsenal, West Ham, Brighton and Aston Villa. You can do this. Everyone plays their role. It’s a complex system that United is now paying more attention to. The Champions League may seem far away at the end of 2023, but it is suddenly back on the agenda. The financial constraints of the Premier League have been a constant headache at Old Trafford, making it vital to secure the income that Champions League football brings, not to mention the excellent reputation and connections.But United can get their season back on track this weekend before taking charge at Anfield and the Etihad.
A second Premier League win against Aston Villa in seven weeks will put them back in contention for a top four spot.The Boxing Day win against Villa marked Rasmus Hoylund’s first Premier League goal and he went on to score in his next three games in the competition. United suddenly got their goal and made all the difference.In contrast, Villa have won two of their last six Premier League games against Burnley and Sheffield United.
Their momentum may become more difficult to sustain when European engagements resume next month. If United can maintain their form and put pressure on Unai Emery’s side, they can still topple them. A win at Villa Park on Sunday will certainly ease them. Sheffield United’s pre-Christmas draw and Newcastle’s win last week have left them stronger than before and Ten Haag’s side have had plenty of fun using their top line of late.
Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford will reassess their chances.If they can close the gap to five points, the Champions League qualification campaign will be wide open and United will face stiff competition. This is not a scenario that seemed possible just a few months ago.He may still need the best from some of their European rivals, but it would be worth it if he can get United back into the Champions League and reap the financial benefits that come with it.
