Manchester United are currently in 8th place in the Premier League table with no signs of breaking into the top six anytime soon, let alone the top four. Here’s why this could actually work in our favour come next season.
After finishing 2nd in the Premier League last season, who would’ve thought that Manchester United would be in the predicament they find themselves in now?
Twelve games in, Jose Mourinho’s men are 8th in the table behind the likes of Bournemouth and Watford – smaller clubs with a fraction of our budget.
I could go into many different reasons as to how and why this has happened, but I won’t do that just now. For the purposes of this article, I’m going to explain how finishing outside the top six could actually be beneficial for the club come next season.
Yes, you heard me right.
To understand my reasoning, United fans must first accept that finishing in the top four is completely impossible. Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are all miles ahead of us this season. For us to have even a chance of finishing in the top four, at least TWO of these clubs would have to completely capitulate before the end of the season. Do you see that happening? No, me neither.
Still with me? Okay.
Now, here’s why it’s in United’s best interest to avoid finishing in either 5th or 6th place. Two words: Europa League.
Yes, those dreaded words will strike fear into the hearts of any self-respecting United fan who has endured the misery of having to watch their team compete in the lower tier of European football.
Not only is the Europa League a bore to watch – it also has serious implications for the season as a whole and beyond.
The last time the Red Devils competed in the tournament (which we ended up winning), we finished 6th in the league. This was largely because, unlike Champions League nights which fall on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Europa League fixtures are usually played on Thursdays – giving the manager and players less time to prepare for league games on the weekend.
However, the most important reason why United must avoid finishing 5th or 6th is to do with appointing a new manager.
Let’s not be coy here – it seems highly unlikely right now that Jose Mourinho will be at the club next season. This means that United will be in the market for a new manager towards the end of the season. If we finish in a Europa League spot, this could prevent us from signing a top European manager.
I know what you’re thinking – isn’t Europa League football better than no European football at all? Not exactly.
Just look at Antonio Conte’s first season at Chelsea. He, funnily enough, replaced Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, inheriting a team that finished outside the top six. Many thought that the Italian would need time to turn his side into Champions, and yet, he ended up winning the league that season!
And what was a major factor in helping Chelsea to secure the Premier League title in record-breaking fashion? No European football.
Indeed, although top managers want to complete in the best competition in Europe, many would gladly skip playing in its lesser counterpart if it meant keeping their pride intact and focusing on getting results in the league.
Now, this doesn’t mean that Manchester United should just go ahead and throw games off, as that’s very unsportsmanlike and even illegal, it goes without saying. However, there is nothing wrong for us, the fans, to quietly hope that we finish outside the top six – as it will certainly help us out in the long run.
Do you agree that it would be better for United to finish outside the top six than in a Euopra League spot? Or should Mourinho’s men try and finish as high as possible? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!