Manchester United
Does Manchester United have Realistic Chances of Finishing Top 4?
As things stand right now, Manchester United is in 6th place with 24 points in 13 matches. That’s 6 points behind league-leader Arsenal. When we look at the whole table, Manchester United’s tally isn’t too shabby.
However, Erik Ten Hag’s men only scored 16 goals in 13 matches, while conceding the exact same number. To put their goalscoring into perspective, Manchester City scored more than double (33 goals) and Aston Villa scored almost double (31 goals).
With such a terrible record and generally lethargic displays, is it realistic to expect United to finish top 4 this season? Let’s talk about that!
Reasons For
Let’s start off with the positive aspects of Manchester United’s season up to this point. There are two players I’d like to emphasize (and I’m sure you all know which two), their CL efforts (or the lack thereof), as well as a specific aspect of their gameplay. So, let’s roll!
Garnacho and McTominay
These two individuals have been on fire lately. I’m not joining the Garnacho bandwagon following that majestic goal against Everton. I’ve been watching this young fella play week in and week out and he’s a FIGHTER!
The same can be said for Scott McTominay. Even though his roles are primarily defensive, he’s scored several really important goals for his team. He’s giving it all match in and match out, and it does show!
No Champions League Football
Theoretically, Manchester United can still qualify for the playoffs. But, they have to defeat Bayern Munich in the final fixture and hope that Galatasaray vs. Copenhagen match ends in a draw. That’s the only scenario in which United can continue their CL run this season.
Sky Sports News understands Erik ten Hag's management style has seen him lose the support of as much as half of the Manchester United dressing room 🔴👔 pic.twitter.com/FjKOycDRfX
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 4, 2023
Obviously, that’s unlikely to happen, meaning ETH’s men will be able to fully focus on finishing top 4 in the EPL. Most soccer betting sites featured on Gamblingsites.org have already updated their odds to reflect on United’s soon-to-be-official-exit out of the CL.
Massive Snowball Potential
Another notable fact is Manchester United’s massive snowball potential. Remember, Manchester still has some of the world’s best players. Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Varane. When they’re all fit and having a good day, United is typically on the winning end of things.
Healthy individuals create wins – wins create more wins. Especially when you have a team with as much individual firepower as Manchester United. If nothing else works out, I bet Manchester United can rely on their snowball potential.
Reasons Against
Unfortunately, Manchester United has glaring issues that need to be addressed if they are to do anything notable in the remainder of the season. Of course, the first reason against Man Utd finishing top 4 is Onana, followed by defensive mistakes in general.
Onana
At first, I though I was being way too harsh on the fella. However, after witnessing his shenanigans against Galatasaray, I was speechless. On a good day, Onana is one of the best keepers in the world. On a bad day, and he’s having increasingly more of those lately, he’s absolutely terrible.
Defensive Mistakes in General
It’s not just Onana, mind you! Manchester’s defensive efforts have been all over the place thus far. But, a part of that comes down to the injury list. United’s defense seems out of sync when Casemiro, Martinez, and Shaw aren’t on the pitch. On the bright side, Shaw is back and looking great!
Wrapping Things Up
In the end, I’m not even sure what to say or what to think. Severa underwhelming performances coupled with Onana’s shenanigans lead me to think Manchester United won’t be able to secure a Champions League spot next season. And, looking at the way they’ve played in the CL this season, that might be for the best.
But then again, seeing the raw passion and dedication of individuals like Shaw, McTominay, and Garnacho makes me think the Red Devils aren’t done and dusted just yet. If Rashford returns to his goalscoring abilities, if Hojlund gets in on the action too… and if Onana stops making ridiculous mistakes, United could be in!
I know, I know – that’s a whole lot of ifs. But if someone can do it, it’s got to be Manchester United!
Manchester City
(Photos) Not For the Faint-Hearted: Nasty Head-On Collision in Manchester Derby Leaves Stars With Lumps
Manchester United‘s Simi Awujo and Manchester City‘s Jade Rose caused a lengthy stoppage in the dying moments of Saturday’s derby after a brutal clash of heads competing for a goal-line clearance.
Medical staff immediately rushed on to carry out concussion protocols, with Awujo eventually forced off whilst Rose was cleared to continue post treatment.
Sickening Head Clash Stops Manchester Derby
The incident marred what had already been a punishing afternoon for United, who lost 3-0 to their cross-city rivals to fall seven points behind City in the WSL title race. Goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp handed City a comfortable victory, extending their unbeaten run to eight consecutive matches.
Jade Rose Shows Battle Scars on Instagram
Despite the severity of the collision, Rose appeared in good spirits afterwards when teammate Alex Greenwood snapped a photo showing the defender’s sizeable forehead bump. Rose posted the image to Instagram, writing: “Can’t say I didn’t put my body on the line.”
Manchester City Women’s Statement Victory
After tonight’s statement victory, City now sit four points clear of second-placed Chelsea, having played a game more, whilst United are stuck in third position seven points adrift of their rivals.
Jeglertz expressed delight at his first derby triumph despite the intensity. The Swedish manager particularly praised his side’s defensive solidity after keeping a clean sheet.
On the other hand, Manchester United boss Marc Skinner was left frustrated by his team’s individual errors.
United had been dealing with a tight turnaround after beating Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday, when Awujo had made her first start in European competition before the unfortunate collision ended her afternoon prematurely.
Read more: Arsenal Women vs. Tottenham Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
Manchester City
Manchester City Women vs. Manchester United Woman Player Ratings: Hemp Returns With a Bang as Sky Blues Dominate Derby
Manchester City delivered a commanding 3-0 derby victory over Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium, extending their WSL lead to four points with a ruthless first-half display that ended the contest before the break.
First-Half Masterclass Decides Derby
Rebecca Knaak opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a powerful header from Lauren Hemp’s corner, guiding the ball back across goal to beat Safia Middleton-Patel.
The hosts doubled their advantage four minutes before halftime when Kerstin Casparij‘s low cross found Bunny Shaw sliding in ahead of the keeper.
Hemp, making her first start since September after recovering from ankle surgery, capped her return with a thunderous strike on the stroke of halftime. The England international unleashed a left-footed rocket into the near top corner that killed any hopes of a United comeback.
Standout Performances
Lauren Hemp (9/10): The game’s standout performer on her injury comeback. Delivered attacking threat down the left and crowned her display with that stunning goal.
Vivianne Miedema (8/10): Pure class throughout. An early effort struck the post before she spent the match linking play beautifully with Hemp. Dropped into holding midfield for the final quarter-hour and looked equally comfortable screening the defense.
Bunny Shaw (8/10): A constant aerial presence who troubled United’s backline all afternoon. Her intelligent header set up Knaak’s opener before she doubled the lead with authority. Forced off after a head collision, ending what was already a destructive performance.
Defensive Solidity and Midfield Control
Rebecca Knaak (7/10) took her goal brilliantly and dealt with United’s second-half threats effectively, though she escaped a second yellow card when a lunging tackle on Melvine Malard went unpunished.
Jade Rose (7/10) rebuffed Malard’s dangerous runs and showed bravery with a late goal-line clearance that resulted in a nasty head clash.
Laura Blindkilde Brown (7/10) turned in a neat, composed display in midfield that will surely catch Sarina Wiegman’s attention for competitive England caps.
Yui Hasegawa (6/10) screened the back four efficiently after being denied an early goal by a goal-line clearance.
Kerstin Casparij (7/10) bombed forward relentlessly down the right and provided the assist for Shaw’s goal with an inviting cross.
Leila Ouahabi (5/10) looked indecisive at times, nearly setting up a United goal with poor judgment on a long ball.
United Outclassed
Marc Skinner introduced Melvine Malard at halftime to inject some threat, and the French striker’s pace pushed City back briefly. But the damage was done, and City controlled the tempo professionally to close out the match.
The victory puts City four points clear of Chelsea and demonstrates their title credentials. United, now seven points off the pace, must regroup quickly after seeing their perfect away record shattered in emphatic fashion.
Also read: Manchester City Women vs. Manchester United Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
The big games keep on coming for Manchester United Women, with Saturday afternoon’s crosstown trip to Manchester City now the focus for Marc Skinner’s side.
Saturday’s 13:30 GMT kick-off at the Etihad Stadium marks a return to action in the Barclays Women’s Super League for the Reds, following Wednesday’s statement European victory over Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford.
That 2-1 triumph was the perfect follow-up to last weekend’s defeat against Aston Villa, our first of the WSL season, with Skinner’s team looking to get back to winning ways in the domestic competition.
United won last season’s corresponding fixture at the Etihad Stadium 4-2 – our first away win over City in the WSL, but will face a different Blues team this Saturday. Swedish head coach Andree Jeglertz took charge at the start of this season and has since guided his Citizens to the top of the top-flight table, with seven successive wins.
Jeglertz’s side are the division’s top scorers with 20 goals, narrowly ahead of United on 19, but have won tight games against West Ham (1-0) and Everton (2-1) since the October international break. Star striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw scored the winner in the latter at Goodison Park, her fifth strike of the WSL season, which sees her level at the top of the league’s goal standings for 2025/26, with United’s Melvine Malard.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce is set to be assessed ahead of the derby, after the goalkeeper missed her first game of the season in midweek with a facial knock. If she remains unavailable, Safia Middleton-Patel will continue between the sticks.
Malard was withdrawn in the second half against PSG but Skinner suggested afterwards that the France international, who scored a brilliant goal on the night, should be okay for the weekend.
Dominique Janssen is set to return to the fold after a one-match European suspension prevented her from being involved against PSG, while Celin Bizet Donnum is a recent absentee (back injury) whom Skinner may provide the latest on in Friday’s pre-match press conference. Centre-back Millie Turner isn’t expected to be back from a knee issue until the new year.
As for City, Alex Greenwood, Naomi Layzell, Kerolin, Mary Fowler and Lily Murphy aren’t available, but former Red Grace Clinton could face her old club for the first time since departing in the summer, after a recent spell on the sidelines. Lauren Hemp, Rebecca Knaak and Sydney Lohmann are also in contention to play a part as they work their way back to full fitness.
Match Preview
Derby bragging rights will be at stake when Manchester City Women welcome Manchester United Women to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts are leading the way at the top of the Women’s Super League table, while the Red Devils are four points adrift in third position.
Man City have put together an impressive run of form since starting the Women’s Super League season with a narrow defeat against Chelsea. The Citizens have embarked on a seven-game winning streak in the WSL, including a narrow win in Sunday’s away clash against Everton.
Vivianne Miedema and Shaw grabbed a goal apiece to fire the Citizens to a 2-1 victory at Goodison Park, sending them to the top of the standings in their bid to win their first WSL title since 2016.
Having racked up 20 goals in eight matches, Jeglertz’s side will enter the weekend as the league’s highest scorers, which will give them confidence in breaking down a Man United side with the second-best defensive record in the division.
The hosts are also one of two teams that currently boast a 100% home record in the WSL this season, along with reigning champions Chelsea. In fact, the Citizens have gone six consecutive home league games without defeat since falling to a 2-1 loss to Chelsea in March (W5, D1).
Man United are sitting in third spot and two points clear of fourth-placed Arsenal after winning five, drawing two and losing one of their eight matches. That solitary defeat took place in last Saturday’s home clash against Aston Villa, which saw Miril Taylor score the decisive effort in a narrow 1-0 win at Leigh Sports Village.
The Red Devils showed great character to bounce back with a 2-1 victory in Wednesday’s Women’s Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford. Malard saw her opener cancelled out by Olga Carmona, before Fridolina Rolfo scored in a second consecutive UWCL game to clinch maximum points.
As a result, Man United finished matchday three as one of three teams with a perfect record, putting them in third place and a strong position to reach the knockout rounds.
They will now turn their focus to Saturday’s league clash, with the Red Devils looking to record a third head-to-head away win of 2025, after following January’s 4-2 league win with a 2-0 success in April’s FA Cup semi-final clash.
Standout Stats
United are the only side to have a 100 per cent record away from home in the Women’s Super League this season (played four, won four), and are looking to win five in a row for just the second time across a single top-flight campaign, something they previously achieved in their opening five on the road in 2020/21.
Ella Toone has made more appearances in WSL Manchester derbies than anyone (11), while no player has been directly involved in more Manchester derby goals than Toone (five – three goals, two assists, the same as City forward Shaw).
The Reds have scored 27 goals in their 10 away league games in 2025, the most of any team, while no side has picked up more away wins in the WSL this calendar year (seven – level with Chelsea and City).
Predicted Lineups
Manchester City Women possible starting lineup: Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Knaak, Ouahabi; Hasegawa, Blindkilde, Miedema; Fujino, Hemp, Shaw
Manchester United Women possible starting lineup: Middleton-Patel; Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti Olme, Toone; Park, Malard, Terland
Streaming Details
For those not heading over to the Etihad Stadium, the game will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, while United fans can enjoy global live radio commentary on MUTV, ManUtd.com and in the United App.
You will also be able to find the team news, score updates and post-match reaction in the app and via our dedicated women’s account on X, @ManUtdWomen.
Also Read: Manchester United Women vs. Aston Villa Women: Match Preview + Predicted Lineups
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