Manchester United's Surge for a Top-Four Finish
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has expressed his belief that Manchester United has what it takes to secure a place in the Premier League top four. With a series of impressive victories, the mood inside the club is one of growing confidence, with head coach Erik ten Hag leading the charge for Champions League qualification.
The recent triumph over Aston Villa marks the Red Devils' third consecutive win in the Premier League, propelling them to close the gap with their rivals. This victory is part of a bigger picture – it's the first time this season that United has strung together four consecutive wins across all competitions. Currently standing six points shy of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, and only a single point behind fifth-placed Aston Villa, United is mounting considerable pressure on the other contenders for those elite European spots.
Long-Term Goals and Current Momentum
Securing a top-four finish in the league may pave the way for Champions League football the following season, a target that is well within United's reach, especially given their current form. “They have the momentum," Keane told Sky Sports. “The teams ahead of them - especially Aston Villa and Tottenham - will be worried. They are hunting them down.” Gary Neville, another United stalwart, echoed these sentiments, mentioning that Manchester United are "within touching distance" of a top-four finish, a statement reflecting the possibility of a strong comeback in the second half of the season.
Ten Hag's belief in his squad's potential has been a recurring theme. He insists that United must hold firm to the conviction that they can conquer any adversary, whether on home soil or away. Recollecting narrow misses in games against top-flight teams like Arsenal and Liverpool, the Dutch manager reflects on the underlying need for belief: "We could have won in Arsenal, we deserved to win there, and we could have won in Liverpool; it is about belief and this team today believed we could win."
Rasmus Hojlund: A Rising Star
Aston Villa's Rasmus Hojlund is proving to be a formidable obstacle for opponents, as the young striker's current form demonstrates his growing influence in the game – netting six goals in seven matches. The only younger player to have embarked on a similar scoring spree in the league was Nicolas Anelka for Arsenal. Keane took note of the young Dane's burgeoning confidence, remarking, "Every time Hojlund walks onto the pitch now, he looks like he believes he can score goals." Credit is due to Ten Hag, who defended the decision to bring Hojlund on board from Atalanta, a move that is certainly paying dividends.
United’s Dynamic Duo: Onana and Hojlund
The debate on goalkeeper Andre Onana’s form and impact has fallen to the wayside as his performances between the sticks have drawn praise. Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, hailed Onana's portrayal under the bar as "fantastic". Ten Hag shares a similar sentiment, expressing satisfaction with both Onana and Hojlund's contributions to the team's recent success.
In response to the collective efforts of his squad, Ten Hag gave a timely reminder of the importance of the season-long journey: "The prize is awarded at the end of the season,” stipulating the necessity to maintain focus on the ultimate goals. "We are in February and we have many games to play, but we are returning. We have to improve our game, but we are pleased we have a series of wins."
Injuries and Incidents
One of the recent concerns for United has been the physical condition of their players. When Luke Shaw had to leave the pitch prematurely due to injury, Ten Hag took a cautious approach citing, “Luke had some complaints and we know his history. He has had too many injuries, and we couldn't take that risk and miss him for six weeks.” With such a critical stage of the season approaching, managing player fitness and health becomes as essential as strategizing for the games themselves.
As for the Varane-Luiz incident, Ten Hag opted to remain silent, noting that he had "no opinion" on the matter and deeming it not important enough to address publicly at this time. Such discretion indicates a focus on the bigger picture and the challenges ahead rather than on-field skirmishes.
With every game, Manchester United adds more weight to the growing belief that they can indeed achieve a significant turnaround by the season's end. Under the careful guidance of Ten Hag, complemented by the squad's determined performances, the path to a triumphant return to the Champions League grows ever more promising.
