Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have had a forgettable season within the Premier League however can nonetheless salvage some delight within the UEFA Europa League.
Although consigned to the ignominy of a bottom-half end, each groups could have an enormous say within the top-five race regardless of being a great distance off the tempo.
Manchester United
Final weekend’s dismal 2-0 dwelling defeat to United condemned Man Utd to their joint-longest winless run within the Premier League period, making supervisor Ruben Amorim really feel ’embarrassed.’
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On account of yet one more disappointment, the Crimson Devils stare down the barrel of ending because the lowest-ranked staff exterior the highest 4, with solely some extent separating them from Seventeenth-placed Spurs.
The temper across the Previous Trafford outfit is much from idyllic as they gear up for Friday’s away conflict in opposition to top-five hopefuls at Stamford Bridge.
Latest visits to London have been depressing for Man Utd, with solely three wins from their final 22 league outings within the capital (D5, L14) – a dreadful file that underscores their struggles on the highway.
Nevertheless, they’ve fared effectively on the Bridge, going unbeaten in seven consecutive away conferences with Chelsea (W3, D4) earlier than final season’s last-gasp 4-3 loss.
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If they will get again on monitor on Friday, it might not solely carry their spirits forward of the Europa League ultimate however considerably compromise the Blues’ quest to return to the Champions League.
Relying on the consequence at Athletic Membership’s San Mames subsequent midweek, Man Utd could enter the final-day conflict in opposition to Aston Villa with little greater than delight at stake.
Nonetheless, they need to nonetheless be able to throwing a wrench into their rivals’ ambitions.
Wins within the final two rounds gained’t change a lot for Man Utd when it comes to their ultimate putting within the Premier League however could trigger havoc within the top-five battle.
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Equally to United, Tottenham don’t have anything however delight left to play for within the home championship, but they will nonetheless derail Villa’s bid to dine out at Europe’s high desk for the second season on the bounce.
Tottenham Hotspur
Will Ange Postecoglou stay in command of Spurs subsequent season stays to be seen, as not even Europa League glory could also be sufficient to save lots of him from a summer time axe.
Halting the membership’s 17-year title drought can be a good technique to go, although the previous boss should nonetheless be hoping to maintain maintain of his job regardless of a woeful home marketing campaign.
A 4-0 win at Villa Park on this corresponding fixture final time period was one of many excessive factors in Postecoglou’s tenure in North London, however Spurs’ actuality seems fairly totally different heading into this assembly.
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Securing a berth within the Europa League ultimate can not amend Tottenham for dropping as many as 20 top-flight matches this season, not to mention the actual fact they’re probably the most sensible candidates to complete Seventeenth.
There’s nonetheless a glimmer of hope for the capital membership to avoid such a humiliating end, although it wouldn’t erase the truth that that is already their most defeat-laden Premier League marketing campaign.
Shedding 2-0 to Crystal Palace on dwelling turf within the build-up to this journey didn’t make for good studying, they usually’ll attempt to discover consolation in beating Villa 4-1 in November’s reverse fixture.
With nothing to lose, Spurs will likely be out to finish their first league double over Unai Emery’s aspect since 2021/22 and knocked them down from a 17-game top-flight unbeaten run in Birmingham.
It’s for sure how vital it might be for Tottenham to construct a head of steam earlier than the ultimate, and spoiling Villa’s lofty aspirations would solely come as a bonus.