Given the mounting injury problems, what will constitute a good last third of the season?

[Vault Dweller]

I'm desperately worried about the rest of the season with injuries. From here I'd be chuffed with just Top 4.

 

[Mmm-Qatarian]

Premier League: We really need to be finishing top four. The squad still requires significant investment (as this injury problem is demonstrating), and we need the money that Champions League qualification will bring. In spite of our injury problem, our run in is such that it would be very disappointing if we were to fall out of the top four from here on out.

Europa League: I think with a full squad we'd be the best side still in the competition. Even with the capitulation last night, I still think we might have enough to get past Sevilla. To say "we should be winning it" given the mounting injury problem seems a bit far-fetched; at this stage nothing here will disappoint me too much. I would say we should still be looking to win the second leg in Seville, though. I think we have the team to do that much.

FA Cup: Sounds a bit pathetic but I'm not that arsed about the cup. It'd be nice to be able to deny City any shot they might have at the treble but, in the very likely event that City beat Sheffield United, both of our remaining opponents in this tournament will be extremely tough. If Brighton knock us out I'll be disappointed but not distraught.

 

[Jeffthered]

If we finish the season with top four and the trophy we've already won, that's a good first season for ETH.

We just can't blow top four.

That will be a fantastic season and I'll take that right now.

We were dreadful, absolutely dreadful last season and we still have much work to do. ETH and his coaching staff have worked wonders.

 

[James35]

Finishing in top 4.

Don’t think we are capable of winning the EL with injuries and even without them I doubt we would beat City on their current and usual end of season form, in the FA cup final should we get past Brighton.

 

[keithsingleton]

Gutted. What chance I thought of us sneaking another cup all but gone. Never fancied us for the FA Cup because of the noisy neighbours but did think we had a chance of the Europa Cup. Bruno missing next week is a big disappointment considering he did absolutely nothing wrong.
Even top 4 hopes now in jeopardy due too our injurie. .

 

[Alonzo]

Top 4 and full sale. Both utterly essential. Anything else is a bonus.

 

[Andycoleno9]

I would be happy with El win. Trophy won and CL secured.

Everything above that (FA cup and PL position) is a bonus

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

We need 15 out of 27 pts possible to finish top 4 I think, which even with our injury record should be doable with the fixtures we have left. I don’t see Spurs picking up 18/24 given their form this season, or Brighton 25/30 (they have averaged 1.64 ppg this season so far). Beat Villa, Fulham, Bournemouth, Forest and Chelsea/Wolves and that’s the job done.

EL, hard to say, we were clearly battering them with our first choice players on but without Bruno and both of our starting center backs it would be a rough night in Spain. If Shaw is available next week, that would be a massive boost. We certainly can beat Sevilla away but it’s up in the air right now, at least there’s no away goal rule anymore.

FAC is still a couple of weeks away, Brighton will be a tough cookie given that after being done by ref against Spurs, that’s the best chance they have left for a great season, but if we get players back for that game, it shouldn’t be insurmountable. Tough to tell at this point. City in the final is daunting but if we get to that hopefully the players can motivate themselves to stop them from a treble.

All in all, I think despite the general doom and gloom here at the moment after a shit result, we are still in a good position to finish top 4 - which is the primary aim this season, anything else is a bonus.

 

[Borys]

Top 4 has to be prioritised. I think this will be easier to achieve than Europa League considering our squad and injuries. Same for FA Cup.

What exactly mean "prioritise" I don't know though. It's not like we can play our best team anyway so I guess we have to limp our way to the finish line.

 

[Westerkerk]

We'll finish 4th in the Premier League - I see both us and Newcastle having a similar run in points wise. I'm not worried about Spurs in 5th. I think that's ok given the course of the season. The best we could have finished was third as we were never getting close enough to City or Arsenal.

In the EL, I think we'll limp past Sevilla in the second leg, then after that it's really down to individual match performances and luck because we're just not consistent enough to make a proper judgement.

 

[RaddyRed]

Europa and top 4 realistically is the goal. Love the FA Cup but I don't fancy our chances against City (and Brighton will be a tough test) with a weakened defence.

Still think we will knock Sevilla out, they were poor last night and it's one of the most bizarre things I have witnessed in a while, blowing that game.

 

[SteveCoppellFan]

Finish third.
Win the Europa.
Win the FA Cup.

And the club sold before the end of the month and the new owners saying we are buying everyone in the transfer market.

 

[julianfr]

Sure. I'm just thinking in terms of how expectations may sway with losing half the players that make us a genuine footballing side. I agree that top 4 alongside the trophy already collected would make this a better season than expected at the start. I can't be sure, but I seem to recall that at least 2 out of the 3 Ole seasons we faltered significantly in the last 10 games or so, and of course last season we were in free fall. Say we narrowly get top 4 and get knocked out of both cups, I'd feel a bit of an anticlimax with the silver lining being that lessons over what needs to be done in summer have presumably been learned. Then again, I'm sure ETH has already sussed out that he needs to overhaul this squad quite a bit anyway. I do get a bit worried about talk of de Gea's importance (which I get as a diplomatic answer to keep morale high, but also worry it might be more than that) when it's clear that the football ETH pursues is not a fit for his skill set. And that applies to so many players at the club.

That being said, I think everyone (or just about) would have taken top 4 and a cup at the start of the season, with expectations starting relatively low given last season. But the long-term is ruthlessly augmenting the squad to sustainably play in a way that the manager wants, which means we won't be as exposed as we'll now be with players who simply cannot play in the fashion ETH has set up his teams.

What worries me is that the extent of the so called squad ''augmenting'' is dependent on those Glazer cnuts doing the only decent they they have done for this club by actually selling it for a reasonable fee.

Their greed could very well have us sat here next season in the same spot wondering what could have been...

 

[Infra-red]

Top 4 is the priority. Play the strongest possible XI in the remaining league games, even if that is to the detriment of the FA Cup/Europa League (where I'd make Brighton and Sevilla favourites now anyway).

 

[United Hobbit]

I'd bin off the FA cup. I'd love us to win it, or any trophy but unfortunately sense a hammering by City in the final (if we even get there as Brighton are strong), especially as we will likely be playing the chuckle brothers, so I'd rather not end the season on that note

Especially as top 4 and Europa are worth way more. We really threw it away last night, the Licha injury didn't help at all, and is the most concerning aspect but throwing away a 2 goal lead is poor.

It shows how pitiful the back up options are, if Tony gets injured again before Rashy or Garnacho return we are truly fecked. The thought of having to rely on Weghorst, who should be returned to Burnley makes me feel ill.... Top 4 is at a real threat especially with the likes of Newcastle in the mix. We cannot lose to Tottenham.

I'm fully in the camp of the Saudi guy in terms of buying us, Liverpool are in dire trouble after challenging on all fronts last season and we are limping towards the line - only City would cope with this ridiculous fixture list, because of having a second squad that would walk into most starting line ups elsewhere in the league. They lose Haaland yet have Alvarez for back up. We are stuck with Wout...

 

[siw2007]

The target at the start of the season was to finish in the top 4 and if possible win a cup. We’ve done the latter, we now must give everything to finish in the champions league positions.

 

[Betson]

Every squad has injuries , in reality we are no worse than a lot of teams only our squad when you scratch below the surface very weak , which is crazy looking a the amount of money we have thrown at it

But people are talking as if are a club such as Southampton etc going into the 3rd round of the FA cup , we are in the semi final and and we are Man Utd , anything less than winning it from here will be very disappointing.

Same with the EL.

We have become very quick as a club to jump on excuses where ever we can. Less of the self pity and more of the self confidence you would normally associate with a club like Man Utd. Very strange to see the fan base of a big club like us thinking so small time.

 

[Mike Smalling]

As long as we finish top four comfortably, this season has been a success given the starting point and other circumstances like injuries.

 

[Sylar]

Win europa and have four or five of our starters celebrating with crutches on the sideline as a throw back to Jose first season with us (which we also won the league cup) ...

 

[crossy1686]

The whole season has been built around getting top 4, anything less than that is a failure considering the money spent in the summer. The cups (this year) are nothing more than a bonus, but we can't build on anything if we don't get CL football. That's the bottom line.

 

[Speako]

We all know that with key players missing, we are favourites for nothing. The replacements aren’t good enough. So it simply depends on getting our centre half’s and Rashford back. If not, then I hope we somehow manage top 4. Not wanting to pessimistic, but beating Brighton/Sevilla/Juventus without them? Can’t see it. However, either way ETH has proven he should be backed again in the summer. Key additions and a fully fit squad, I’d be confident in every comp.

 

[Siorac]

CL qualification. That's all that matters now. One avenue is closed now but we somehow have to hold on to top 4.

 

[Zlatan 7]

Top 4 and I’m happy. Trophies will come with time, better players and more time for coaching the squad.

 

[rk4utd]

‘We have become very quick as a club to jump on excuses where ever we can. Less of the self pity and more of the self confidence you would normally associate with a club like Man Utd. Very strange to see the fan base of a big club like us thinking so small time’.


This summarises it perfectly for me. We are Manchester United FFS - where do we get off on saying we will sack this or that competition off? We have injuries - true - and the players coming in are not of the level of the ones injured. But they are playing for MUFC - that alone means they every game we play should be treated with respect and we should endeavour to win.

I will never accept anything else. It is our history that should dictate such an attitude from all connected with the club.

If we fall short then it’s not as a result of ‘oh well, that competition doesn’t matter’. They all matter.

 

[VP89]

We can win most our games. AWB and Malacia should be capable coverage for the full backs but it's the CBs that worry me. If Cas and Eriksen can stick around for all the games left I think we'll have enough to continue our great momentum.
Sabitzer making his runs in the box may well be a great way of hiding our Rashford loss.

 

[devilish]

It's time for Ole's legends ie Maguire and Sancho to shine. That's 160m worth of talent in there

 

[Borys]

Every squad has injuries , in reality we are no worse than a lot of teams only our squad when you scratch below the surface very weak , which is crazy looking a the amount of money we have thrown at it

But people are talking as if are a club such as Southampton etc going into the 3rd round of the FA cup , we are in the semi final and and we are Man Utd , anything less than winning it from here will be very disappointing.

Same with the EL.

We have become very quick as a club to jump on excuses where ever we can. Less of the self pity and more of the self confidence you would normally associate with a club like Man Utd. Very strange to see the fan base of a big club like us thinking so small time.

I partially agree, but IMO the problem is that we basically need to change our system, and that is difficult to do in short time.

Now that Casemiro and Eriksen are back I think we should still be ok in most league games, but against strong opponents I can certainly see us losing. Also because we basically have no cover for forwards and defence, so they need to play 90' every game.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Champions League qualification either through top 4 or EL winners. That’s all that really matters.

FA Cup is a bonus.

 

[Mickeza]

It’s only Martinez really isn’t it? Rashford and Shaw have a chance of being back next week. Varane carried on playing and it is an issue he’s had for weeks so I doubt it’ll keep him out too long. Garnacho is expected back at some point too.

 

[Adisa]

At this point, I’d take 4th and run. We are fecked.

 

[Bondi77]

Win the FA Cup and hold on to the top 4 spot will do me.

 

[JB7]

Win the fecking lot.

 

[next_number_seven]

Stop City winning the treble by winning FA Cup.

Either Top 4 or EL. As long as we're in CL next season.

 

[Offside]

We should be expecting top 4 and another final.

If we then lose the FA Cup final to City then with the league cup already in the bag fair enough.

If we finish 5th you have to be asking serious questions, unless we win the two remaining cups where you can say fair enough our league form suffered whilst we were cleaning up trophies.

 

[RaddyRed]

When is Shaw back? Wouldn't be surprised if Shaw plays cb with Varane (if he is fit) as he clearly doesn't trust Maguire. Malacia would need to step up at LB after last night's horror show.

 

[Offside]

As long as we finish top four comfortably, this season has been a success given the starting point and other circumstances like injuries.

And the fact we’ve already got a cup in the bag.

 

[Guapa]

CL by any means possible and no Citeh trebble

Yep.

 

[Borys]

It’s only Martinez really isn’t it? Rashford and Shaw have a chance of being back next week. Varane carried on playing and it is an issue he’s had for weeks so I doubt it’ll keep him out too long. Garnacho is expected back at some point too.

Yeah it's all based on "if" they can come back. It just seems like a snowball effect right now so no wonder people are feeling very negative.

 

[Heardy]

The whole season has been built around getting top 4, anything less than that is a failure considering the money spent in the summer. The cups (this year) are nothing more than a bonus, but we can't build on anything if we don't get CL football. That's the bottom line.

And yet, it'd still be hugely preferential to win the Europa and finish 5th. Another trophy is more important and the Europa gives access to CL rendering league finish irrelevant for anything other than pride over "progress."

 

[Red Star One]

Champions League qualification either through top 4 or EL winners. That’s all that really matters.

FA Cup is a bonus.

This. I'd probably prefer winning the EL as it gives us seeding.

I was hoping for more but last weeks were tough, we knew our bench was short and that a few injuries can screw us. I'm dreading what we'll see with our centre backs in the next couple of games.