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| Solskjaer will be desperate to finish in the top 4 by the end of this season (Image - Sky Sports) |
With Premier League football all set to return by the middle of this month, football fans are eagerly waiting in anticipation, ready to get drenched in the agonies and ecstasies of the beautiful game once again. The Coronavirus pandemic has brought the entire world to its knees, while also bringing to a sudden stop a Premier League season which was riddled with talking points. For Manchester United, the stop in play arrived at the worst possible time; they were on a fantastic winning run, they were scoring goals for fun and the team was finally looking like a well-drilled unit. Once the season resumes, United fans will be hoping that their march on the coveted 4th place can resume as well.
With Liverpool all but confirmed as the league leaders, all eyes have turned towards the race for the Champions League places, which have quite a few contenders with still 9 games to play. Chelsea remain at the 4th position, for now, but in reality, Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United, Tottenham Hotspur, and even Arsenal have realistic chances of finishing among the top 4.
However, the Red Devils could leapfrog the competition and finish in the top 4. Manchester United might have struggled for consistency for the majority this season, but the sky finally looks clearer for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian will be desperate to lead his team out in the premier European football competition next term. In truth, Manchester United are best poised to secure Champions League football for next season, and here are 3 reasons why.
#3 Manchester City’s potential ban from the competition
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| Pep Guardiola (Image - Sky Sports) |
The most alluring aspect of a top 4 finish is the chance of playing in the UEFA Champions League next season. However, owing to the unique set of circumstances this year, Manchester United might not need a top 4 finish to secure entry into the much-coveted Champions League. This is due to the 2-year ban that UEFA has imposed on Manchester City, which could see them miss out on Champions League action for 2 term, starting from next season.
The Blues are all set to appeal against the ban, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport will hear their appeal on the second week of June. However, if the UEFA decision is upheld, Manchester United could still play in the Champions League next season if they finish 5th this time.
#2 Manchester United's comparatively easy set of fixtures ahead
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| Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Image - Goal) |
Of the teams vying for the 4th and final UEFA Champions League spot, Manchester United has the most comfortable set of fixtures. The average league position of their next 9 oppositions is 12.3, which is the highest among all the 20 teams. The highest placed team that Solskjaer’s wards will face during the final 9 games is Leicester City, who are 3rd in the table, while their lowest place opposition is Aston Villa, who are 19th. United face 4 of the bottom 6 during this time, even though Jose Mourinho will be desperate to prove a point when United face Tottenham Hotspurs in the very first fixture.
On the other hand, Wolverhampton Wanderers are the closest to give Manchester United a run for their money. The Wolves face 3 teams from the current bottom 6 and a host of mid-table teams, with Chelsea their only opposition from the current top 4. Frank Lampard’s team have a trip to Anfield and host Manchester City at home, 2 fixtures that could determine their final league position. The Blues also face fellow top 4 contenders Sheffield United and Wolves.
Sheffield United have their plates full, as they face every team from the current top 9 except Liverpool and Manchester City. Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal also have a relatively tougher run of games, which leaves the door open for Manchester United to take control.
Of course, the Red Devils would still have to be at their best to achieve their target, but as of now, they are the favorites for the coveted 4th Champions League place.
#1 Star players returning from injury
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| Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford (Image - Premier League) |
Perhaps the biggest positive that Manchester United can draw from the break in play is that it has given their injured players time to heal and return to the first team. Manchester United have been struggling with injuries since the start of the season, and the biggest setback has been the prolonged absence of Paul Pogba. The Frenchman has featured just 6 times for the Red Devils this season, only 5 of which has been starts. There’s no doubt that when fully fit, Pogba is United’s best player and his charisma and ability can be inspirational for Solskjaer’s team. The Frenchman seems to have used the time allotted by the coronavirus pandemic to make a full recovery and Manchester United fans are already smacking their lips at the prospect of him teaming up with the brilliant Bruno Fernandes.
Another player United fans will love to see back in the team is Marcus Rashford. The Englishman was in the form of his life before he was ruled out for almost the rest of the season due to a back problem in January. Rashford was due to return to action by the end of April, which means that he should be fit and raring to go when the league resumes. A frontline comprising of Rashford and Anthony Martial, powered by the talents of Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba should be enough to send shivers into the hearts of every defense in the league. For Manchester United, a fully fit squad will also mean the firepower that can propel them to a comfortable top 4 finish and secure Champions League football for next season.
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