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Manchester United Ready For Final Push As Top-Four Battle Nears Conclusion

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag brands the conduct of forward Marcus Rashford after the Manchester derby as “unacceptable”.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag brands the conduct of forward Marcus Rashford after the Manchester derby as “unacceptable”. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

With the race to finish in the Premier League’s top four looking set to go down to the wire this season, Manchester United find themselves in the thick of the battle.

As there are no more international breaks between now and the end of the campaign, it’s one final push for Erik ten Hag’s side to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

All To Play For In Top-Four Fight

While Arsenal and Manchester City look set to battle it out for the Premier League crown, United find themselves in a group competing for the other two places in the top four. The Red Devils are currently priced at odds of 1/7 to be top-four finishers, for those who want to outcomes. Meanwhile, Manchester City finds themselves competing with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and old rivals Liverpool for Champions League qualification.

At one stage, United were contenders in the but at 100/1 during March’s international break, it would take something remarkable for United to lift the trophy in May.

A real title challenge might have come just too soon for United this term but Ten Hag will be hoping the foundations are now in place for a real crack at the Premier League trophy next season.

For the remainder of this season, the focus is on making sure United are playing Champions League football next term. The Red Devils have shown already they can put winning runs together in the Premier League and another one of those will stand them in good stead to finish in the top four.

United have already faced Arsenal and City twice in the league and completed the schedule with West Ham, Wolves, Bournemouth and Fulham in their last three games.

The run-in of fixtures looks favourable but it will be up to Ten Hag and his players that they make sure they get the job done and secure all the benefits Champions League qualification brings.

Champions League Can Help Lure Big Names

With the club expected to secure new owners this year, there’s plenty of excitement about what the summer transfer window might bring. United are being linked with plenty of attacking talent, including the likes of Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Gonçalo Ramos.

Even with the backing of significant funds, United being able to offer Champions League football might well prove the difference in securing a player’s coveted signature or not.

United will always be a big lure, even if they are not playing in Europe’s elite competition. However, the Champions League is where the best players want to be and it would be a huge lift for the Red Devils’ recruitment drive if they can finish in the top four this season.

United also have a pathway to the Champions League by winning the Europa League and that trophy would be a massive coup for Ten Hag if he could land the title.

The focus after the international break will be finding a winning rhythm again in the Premier League to try and wrap up a top-four place as soon as possible. It has been a positive campaign on the whole for this United squad and it’s time to finish the season on a high.

Written by Thomas Hein

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