The chase for 4th place (not top 4)

[Bastian]

Hard to see the top 3 not certain to finish top 3. But that fourth place, between Spurs, West Ham, Arsenal and ourselves. That's what happens when you start the season with an absolute clown show I guess.

West Ham 24
Arsenal 23
Spurs 22 (game in hand)
United 21
Wolves 21
Brighton 19
Leicester 19

So far this season West Ham are deservedly at the front of that group of also-rans.

 

[cyberman]

Any sort of run and we have it. Competition is weak around us.

 

[KingCavani]

West Ham were never going to maintain that form and will drop off to around 7th/8th by season’s end. They had players playing well above their regular level and it’s not sustainable.

The influence of the new management at United and Spurs will be huge, as well as what they do in January.

 

[awop]

West Ham were never going to maintain that form and will drop off to around 7th/8th by season’s end. They had players playing well above their regular level and it’s not sustainable.

The influence of the new management at United and Spurs will be huge, as well as what they do in January.

Same was said last year and they kept it pretty close. Chelsea and Arsenal in the next 3 but after that they have a really easy run until they go to OT at the end of January. A few smart additions in January and they could stay in the fight.

 

[Dante]

We're only 3 points off top 4 despite enduring a historically bad run of form that was so terrible the manager got sacked. It should be onwards and upwards from here.

It's United's to lose. The only other serious contenders are Spurs. But they're Spurs.

 

[Redlyn]

For how bad we've been these teams have been as bad or worse. Only way for us is up and we are only 3 pts off. Any sort of run and we will get this.

 

[Klopper76]

United will get it comfortably. Nice run of games coming up and the rest are incredibly inconsistent. I think Arsenal 5th and West Ham or Spurs 6th. The top three is done.

 

[The Cat]

Damn thought this was an Elvis thread.

 

[BorisManUtd]

With the quality of players we've got and being only 3 points off 4th despite some embarassing results so far this season, it's ours to lose. But we have to start getting clean sheets and improve in defence, 24 goals conceded in 14 games is awful. Only 4 teams conceded more, 3 of them being Newcastle, Norwich and Watford + Leicester which is interesting.

If Rangnick can make us firmer defensively we should finish 4th.

 

[RuudTom83]

The run of games that lost Ole his job was absolutely brutal, so the table is a little misleading really…

United have a more reasonable run coming up now so I’d expect points to be easier to pick up!

Over to Ralf to see what he can do.

 

[Zen]

Spurs casually being 4th should they win their game is hand is bonkers..... Conte's done nothing of note yet yet could will already get mega praise for it.

But then again, Rangnck has got a piss easy set of fixtures to start off with. Man Utd will cruise to it, no doubt.

 

[Amadaeus]

We should easily have it. We were talking about winning the league this season until Ole shite the bed. My only concern is whether Conte will get Spurs clicking. Even then, lads it is Spurs post Pochettino.

 

[Morty_]

United has the most talented squad for the job, but maybe Conte gets Spurs up and running, so it could be tight.

 

[Pretzels81]

It will be ours, most likely; Arsenal will drop many points and West Ham will implode to the 7th or 8th spot sooner than later.

Conte's Spurs look more troublesome than Arsenal, to be honest.

 

[Trequarista10]

We should do it. Biggest concern for me is if the team takes a while to adapt under Ralf. There isn't enough left in the season to afford a painful month or two.

 

[Blood Mage]

I think we're favourites again now after that important win and the run we have coming up. Arsenal would have been favourites had they got a win tonight.

 

[bosnian_red]

As long as Rangnick is at least decent we should get it

 

[Shane88]

Spurs play Leicester and Liverpool in 3 days in a couple of weeks. Hoping that slows them down.

 

[Sviken]

Conte at Spurs worries me, but their squad is dreadful. I reckon we're the favorites now that we have a decent manager.

 

[DRJosh]

So no late push for the title then in the event of a cataclysmic collapse from the top 3?

 

[Ronaldo's ego]

The teams above and around us will drop plenty of points and with so many games to go it’ll be a disaster to not get 4th.

 

[OleksUsykUD]

For me it's us or Tottenham. We need a good run now, and few bad results from Spurs, get permanent in that top 4 and even try to climb from there.


I like Conte and i like him very much, but Spurs just doesn't have quality in their squad. Kane is an absolute shadow of himself, and i think their pre-season was terrible and will play huge role in the race.


And let's be realistic our squad is like 3x better than theirs, so at the end we should be in it.

 

[bond19821982]

We lost to teams which everyone would lose- Liverpool and City.

Yes, Watford and Leicester were bad losses too but that's an exception rather than a norm. With the squad depth we have, I believe a good run (not even referring to all win scenario) until Jan will put us firmly in top 4.

Sunday and today were huge, absolutely huge. Nobody else is going to Chelsea and coming back with a point.

 

[Blood Mage]

So no late push for the title then in the event of a cataclysmic collapse from the top 3?

Not going to happen. Pool, City and Chelsea are levels above.

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

So no late push for the title then in the event of a cataclysmic collapse from the top 3?

We need a run similar to that of City last season. Possible but not really bloody likely.

If we had acted after the Everton or Villa game I firmly believe we would be 6 pts behind at worst now.

 

[DRJosh]

Not going to happen. Pool, City and Chelsea are levels above.

I agree but we’ve got a star studded squad,l just not the proper cohesion and system. Just wished we had a better start to the season. I hope we make good progress in the CL at the very least

 

[DRJosh]

We need a run similar to that of City last season. Possible but not really bloody likely.

If we had acted after the Everton or Villa game I firmly believe we would be 6 pts behind at worst now.

Good opportunity to see what Rangnick does. I feel there is an outside chance it could happen. We were in a terrible place against Liverpool mentally and football wise.

 

[Red Dreams]

If we are 4 points off the top after the holiday fixtures, I believe we have a good chance to win the title.
There are only two more games in January after those fixtures which are both winnable.

 

[KingCavani]

If we are 4 points off the top after the holiday fixtures, I believe we have a good chance to win the title.
There are only two more games in January after those fixtures which are both winnable.

 

[Klopper76]

If we are 4 points off the top after the holiday fixtures, I believe we have a good chance to win the title.
There are only two more games in January after those fixtures which are both winnable.

Wow.

 

[Red Dreams]

Wow.

Fergie always said that.

 

[mav_9me]

Its going to be an absolute battle for the 4th place.

I feel the rollercoaster will continue under Rangnick... Just one of those things. Hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[Klopper76]

Fergie always said that.

You have red dreams, I respect that.
You’ll end up 4th. You’re better than the other likely candidates.

 

[Red Dreams]

You have red dreams, I respect that.
You’ll end up 4th. You’re better than the other likely candidates.

Every team has a bad patch. The three top teams will do too.
I'm certain Rangnick was behind how we played the last two matches.
Its not wishful thinking.
We have a very good squad. We will get at least a very good midfield player in January that Rangnick wants.
Ole left us a hole to climb out off.
Just watching the two full backs play, they looked different players.
This team will continue to improve.

 

[DatIrishFella]

We have a good run of fixtures right the way through to March (Man City). If Rangnick can hit the ground running similar to Tuchel, then hopefully we'll be closer to the top three than we currently are!

https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/fixtures/_/id/360/manchester-united

 

[UnitedFire]

The next 12 league fixtures are all winnable. Do that and I would imagine we'll be back in a title challenge especially if we reinforce in Jan with a proper midfielder.

After that it'll be interesting again! Tough push after that

 

[Morty_]

Even though top 3 seem settled, Chelsea is not as dominant overall as City and Liverpool.

I know many do not see the value in it, but they are overperforming expectations on numerous of stats so far, to an extent Liverpool and City just doesn't.

They are firmly a top 3 side regardless, so i don't expect any big shake-ups, but just a thought.

 

[Red Dreams]

Tuschel already looking behind his shoulder at Rangnick.

 

[Blood Mage]

Its going to be an absolute battle for the 4th place.

I feel the rollercoaster will continue under Rangnick... Just one of those things. Hopefully I'm wrong.

There's no way West Ham keep this form for the rest of the season. They'll drop off eventually.

 

[PoTMS]

It'll end up being...

1. City
2. Liverpool





3. Chelsea





4. United