Mourinho will be gone, we'll be back to square one with regards to building a new side and we'll be forced to explain to prospective transfers and managerial candidates why they'd want to come to a side that's managed a top 4 finish once in the preceding five years.That was my prediction at the start of the season, except I had Arsenal in 2nd for some reason.
Look, it is a win-win situation. Make Top 4, hooray. Don't make Top 4, then the Glazers will panic and ensure we spend enough to bring in quality players.
There is zero to play for this season. Might as well stop getting worried and just go with the flow. Our attacking players are the worst of the top 6, so how can we even expect to beat our rivals except when they gift us wins? A season out of the CL is not a disaster for us, it is a disaster for the Glazers.
Will we finish top 4?
- Thread starter Raees
- Start date
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Yes, but it will be more of a near run thing than anticipated at the outset.
That's usually sorted by adding an extra zero to the pay packet; players will still want to join us, we can still pay considerably more than Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal, even without champions league.
1) Jose won't go. He will atleast see out his contract.
2) We may not be able to attract the likes of Dybala, which would be a blow. But I wouldn't rule it out -- we did after all get some marquee signings in even when we were out of the top 4. But it is about time the club started scouting players similar to the likes of Firmino and other players at lesser clubs who would join us and instantly improve us.
It is not a disaster and I am sick of the Arsenal mentality the board has. They only spend if we are out of the top 4, such a horrible strategy.
Depends a lot on our January signings.
If we got Pochetino we would definitely be able to attract top South American talent
No.
I think we will but it will be close.
It is not even about the manager. What are our scouts doing? Why is every target set by the manager? Do not the scouts see some rough gems playing in the lower clubs in the Bundesliga or Ligue 1 and report to the manager?
My grandmother can scout the likes of Griezmann, Dybala and co and say they are good. We need more talented scouts to help the manager rather than entrusting the burden to him.
I wasn't convinced at the start of the season but we got off to a flier, however the side looks not only short of quality but devoid of heart and enthusiasm, it's hard to see how it turns around with the teams breathing down our neck looking like much better attacking units with more team spirit.
Scouts are overrated. Mourinho, as a top manager, should know exactly what players are out there for what he wants to do with the squad. That's not the problem. The problem is what happens after the players are bought - the coaching, the team ethos, the execution. None of it is there.
Nop. Said i a few weeks ago and i'll say it again. Come end of Feb we'll be 3+ points behind 4th 
It isn't a blip if it's lasted most of the season, I'm not usually one for openly moaning about us but I can't really see us finishing in the top four at this rate.
Not too late. Going through a terrible time now. Jusr get the acts together and start again
Battling for 4th (which we won’t get) for another season. Absolutely pathetic.
Depends what reinforcements we get in n January. We need another midfielder, a goal scoaring RW, and perhaps a striker.
We need to win the Everton game. Win that game and the FA cup tie against Derby, then we can rest for 10 days and come back reinvigorated with fresh ideas. Lose or draw against Everton, and I am not sure if we'll make the top 4.
Simply signing a player or two is not the answer. Playing as a team and getting the best out of the available squad will help us go a long way.
Simply signing a player or two is not the answer. Playing as a team and getting the best out of the available squad will help us go a long way.
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Nope.
Yes, I think we will. I still think we will finish second, though in truth it makes no difference, as long as we qualify for the Champions League. We're really struggling just now, but I expect us to rediscover our ability to finish.
Would take 3rd right now.
6th
Agree.
We're in the football doldrums
Ah yea top 4 trophy, Wenger would be proud.
Next month looking tough for you boys...away games at Everton, Burnley and Spurs so certainly some more points being dropped there.
Nope. The only team I see us finishing above is Arsenal as theyre even worse. Liverpool are scoring again, and VVD will ensure they improve defensively. Spurs are hitting form too.
Our goose is cooked. Jose is in deep shit, IMO.
Our goose is cooked. Jose is in deep shit, IMO.
Flattered to deceive earlier on. Showing our true colours now.
Clean sheet but the defensive stability has vanished. Can't even rely on that.
Clean sheet but the defensive stability has vanished. Can't even rely on that.
We won’t with Jose in charge in his current state. He’s doing nothing to change it.
No. Just hope we avoid Europa qualification altogether.
A season of just PL to focus on would do us some good.
A season of just PL to focus on would do us some good.
4th if Kane gets injured for a period, otherwise 5th..
I think you will get 4th.
According to these forums, we will be lucky not to get relegated!
^
...the stars and planets would have to align for us to miss top4 this season. Aka, not happening.
Amazing, how we fecked it up.
This is looking more likely now. I fear a battle with Chelsea for 4th place. Crucial game with Chelsea coming up which on current form will be a draw at best. Very poor from Mourinho when we had second in the bag.
ye must really enjoy moaning and being pessimistic. Suppose that's just another excuse to have a little swipe as José though.Entitled to a moan at least once per week especially when our main rivals Liverpool and City put teams away with ease. If we’d have got Porto or Basel we would have struggled to get 1 past them. We play the worlds most boring football for the money we’ve spent and as the thread is about the top 4 I’ll stick with prediction of a tight battle for 4th with Chelsea.
Chelsea, City, Liverpool, Arsenal still to play - I'd say the chances of top 4 diminishing.....and it's sad to think we are becoming the new Arsenal - hoping for top 4!
At this point i'd back us to keep ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal. Chelsea look a mess half the time and are a Hazard bad game away from a bad result, plus if Barca gives them a hiding, can see it denting their confidence. Arsenal are Arsenal. Spur's are looking really good at this moment and looking like putting on a similar run to last season, which we have no chance of keeping up with. Liverpool, no one really knows what's happening with them. Their defence is likely to make a mess of things at any time. They've shown they can go on a run of solid results, there is the CL to consider and they have it in them to go deep which would distract them.
The next six will decide if we do or not.
Chelsea (h)
Palace (a)
Liverpool (h)
West Ham (a)
Swansea (h)
City (a)
Anything less than 12 points in these games and I could see us struggling to finish in the top 4. Besides Swansea (are in good form themselves), who will be relatively easier, there are no free meals in those six. Palace and West Ham away will be tough fixtures with two dogged teams having two dogged managers incharge who'll park the bus and make it as tough for us as Rafa and Newcastle did last weekend. There is also the CL tie against Sevilla three days before the Chelsea game and the return leg sandwiched between the Liverpool & West Ham (a) games.
Chelsea (h)
Palace (a)
Liverpool (h)
West Ham (a)
Swansea (h)
City (a)
Anything less than 12 points in these games and I could see us struggling to finish in the top 4. Besides Swansea (are in good form themselves), who will be relatively easier, there are no free meals in those six. Palace and West Ham away will be tough fixtures with two dogged teams having two dogged managers incharge who'll park the bus and make it as tough for us as Rafa and Newcastle did last weekend. There is also the CL tie against Sevilla three days before the Chelsea game and the return leg sandwiched between the Liverpool & West Ham (a) games.