Erik ten Hag has admitted Manchester United face an uphill task to qualify for the Champions League following a devastating to Chelsea on Thursday night.
Manchester United came from two goals down to lead 3-2 with 99 minutes on the clock but still managed to lose as Cole Palmer completed his hat-trick at Stamford Bridge.
It was the second time in five days that United dropped points when being ahead in the 96th minute, which is genuinely next level of ‘tough to take’. The anger seen in the stands has turned into despondency and there’s a feeling that open heart surgery is still required on this squad.
Champions League qualification
Securing a place in the Champions League next season could save Ten Hag’s bacon. The Dutchman’s future is up in the air but his relationship has been described as a ‘marriage of convenience’ by The Athletic in their latest report.
United are currently 11 points behind Aston Villa with a game in hand. We’re also nine points adrift of Tottenham, with an inferior goal difference to both teams.
Not only do United need a lot to go their way for the remainder of the season, but we also need to sort our problems out and win football matches.
During his pre-Liverpool press conference, Ten Hag was asked if his team need to win all of their remaining matches if they are to have any chance of playing in the Champions League next season.
“I think so, yeah,” Ten Hag told reporters, as per the Daily Mail.
“In stoppage time this week, we have dropped five points. It’s very expensive. The points are getting more expensive because the games are running out and we know that.
“We have to catch up and we are now many points behind, so it will be difficult. But we will keep fighting and I’m sure you see, our team, they have character.
“They are resilient and I’m sure they will be there on Sunday, to be in the fight against Liverpool.”
Not only do the lads need to be up for Sunday, they need to cut out the silly mistakes in crucial moments. We can’t seem to keep possession yet persist with trying to in games we’re hoping to close out.
All eyes are on the Liverpool game and we need a big result.
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It’s not fair, what about that offside against Arsenal?