da esport bet： The Premier League title seemed almost certain to end up in Manchester after only a few games. But it’s been almost two months since the identity of the club in that particular city appears to have been revealed.
da imperador bet： Since the Manchester derby at the start of December, United are no longer seen as genuine title contenders, and it would take something genuinely shocking for anyone other than Pep Guardiola’s side to come away with the trophy. At Old Trafford that day, United were outplayed, and suffering the ignominy of having to see their rivals close out the game by keeping the ball in the corner for the final few minutes must have been one of the most difficult scenes most Red Devils fans will have witnessed at home.
That was the last time Manchester United played a top six side, and the last time Jose Mourinho’s side lost a game. Indeed, it remains their only Premier League defeat since losing to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in November.
Disappointing draws over the festive period are perhaps the reason there is simply no hope of a late title charge, but even so, good form must be praised. And yet, those two defeats came at the hands of top six rivals in their last two games against top teams.
The last time United beat a top six rival was at home to Tottenham in October.
And so this game is perhaps the most interesting one of United’s season so far, because it will tell us quite a lot about how the rest of the season will go. Will Jose Mourinho opt to play an attacking brand of football, now that the pressure has been released in the title race, or will he stick to the same sort of turgid, defensive game he offered up before Christmas.
The argument is that keeping it tight against near rivals is the best way to stay in the title race. Especially away from home, and United will travel to Wembley on Wednesday night.
Now, however, there appears to be no need for that. Manchester United are highly unlikely to win the title and playing for a draw or a tight win away from home would seem to be unnecessary. Though a defeat might leave open the possibility of a more difficult race for a Champions League place.
But this will be something of a litmus test. Since losing their first game of the season against Huddersfield, things haven’t been particularly positive for the Red Devils. Manchester City pulling away in the title race is one thing, but injuries and suspensions have taken their toll on a United side who are still three points clear of anyone else in the league. Now, with the high gained from beating Manchester City to the signing of Alexis Sanchez, United are in a better place. They have two trophies still to fight for, and a new lease of life gained from the return of the Champions League isn’t out of the question.
Against Tottenham on Wednesday night, we’ll see a bit more of what Mourinho intends to do, then. Will he instruct his side to be as disciplined and robust as they have been in other top six clashes? Or will the shackles be off enough to allow everyone to see what a partnership of Sanchez, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku can do?
That’s the million dollar question, but away to Tottenham would appear to be the best time to test the theory.
It is far from a meaningless game and the league is still important. United have to pick up the points necessary to be comfortable in the top four, and they have to keep up the pace to ensure that City can’t lose every other game. But you get the feeling that Mourinho’s season will be judged on what happens in the Champions League from here on in. And if that’s the case, why not try and let your creative players loose in the league games building up to the knockout stages?
A few good wins playing attacking football will surely whet the appetite for adventures in Europe coming up in just a few weeks.
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