Pranav Nair
Dietmar Hamann tips Manchester United to miss out on a top-four finish this season
Former Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann has no love lost with Manchester United despite hanging up his boot years ago.
Speaking to The British Gambler, the German has dismissed United’s chances of making the top four at the end of this season. A surprising statement, given the reinforcements United have brought in this summer.
The Red Devils have already landed Jadon Sancho while Raphael Varane is set to be announced any time now. The twin moves strengthen two areas of the pitch the club have been found lacking in the previous seasons. To think we would underperform with the added strength seems ludicrous at best.
According to the report, Hamann’s point has little to do with United’s quality on the field, but rather the lack of it on the sidelines. He believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done little to show he is the man for the job and could be found wanting this season.
“I’m not sure Manchester United are guaranteed a top-four berth, I heard someone say on the radio that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wouldn’t get a job at any other top club and that he’s got plenty to prove.”
Hamann has in fact gone on to add that Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City side will be the ones to beat United for a Champions League spot. The Foxes have emerged as consistent performers in recent seasons. While their poor finishes have cost them dearly the last two years, they cannot be taken lightly.
“I’d suggest Leicester will climb above them for the top four, they’ve been narrowly pipped in each of the last two season and Brendan Rodgers will ensure they go again.”
While Hamann is right to caution us against complacency, the same can apply to the other three teams in the top four. The likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have all shown that they can be beaten. Unless City somehow lands Harry Kane, they too will be there for the taking.
We certainly hope Hamann is not a betting man. Solskjaer and co. have proven doubters wrong in the past and are capable of doing so yet again.
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While Solskjaer is yet to win his first trophy at United, he has shown glimpses of progress at the club. It is fair to say that finishing outside the top four would spark the end of his stay at the Theatre of Dreams.
