United Set for Top Four Struggle

  • Posted on: 28 January 2014

Most Manchester United supporters might have expected some teething problems following the departure of manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, but few would have thought their hopes of retaining their Premier League crown to be all but over in January.

Ferguson’s successor, David Moyes, has not been able to get the same performances out of the squad left to him by the knight of the realm and injuries to the likes of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney of late have certainly not helped the former Everton manager’s cause.

A 3-1 defeat to rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday evening highlighted how far United have now fallen behind.

Of course, the scoreline does not really reflect the true nature of that game in the capital, with Chelsea making the most of the limited chances they had.

Nonetheless, the Blues were the better side and, along with Arsenal and Manchester City, look like one of the three teams who will be challenging for the Premier League title come May.

What is more worrying for United at this stage is that if those three sides do push each other all the way till near the end of the campaign, then that is likely to leave one more Champions League place for next season.

People who bet on football can find the Red Devils at 11/4 with some of the big bookmakers to make the cut.

A campaign without Champions League football would have been unthinkable at the end of last term, when United were holding aloft the Premier League trophy but now that looks like it could become a reality.

At present, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton all stand in United’s way and it really will take something special from Moyes and his men at Old Trafford to ensure they hear that Champions League music ringing around the ground next season.

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