terça-feira, 21 de abril de 2020

Analysing Manchester United's Premier League run-in


Having spent significant funds in the transfer market during the summer window, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have had high hopes for Manchester United spending the campaign in the top four of the Premier League table.
Although the North-West outfit have struggled for consistency for the majority of the season, they remain within touching distance of fourth-placed Chelsea.
With nine games remaining and having put together an 11-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, United sit just three points adrift of the final Champions League spot.


Despite momentum having been lost due to the coronavirus pandemic, Solskjaer will be relatively content with his team's position should the season resume later in the year.
With that in mind, Sports  takes an in-depth look at the club's remaining nine fixtures in England's top flight.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks dejected on January 22, 2020© Reuters
The Premier League are yet to come up with a rearranged schedule, but United had been preparing to take on Tottenham Hotspur in North London before football was brought to an abrupt halt.
Despite prevailing in the reverse fixture in December, United have won just one of their last seven meetings at the home of one of their fierce rivals, which came when Spurs were playing at Wembley Stadium.
The following three away games were due to be played at Brighton & Hove AlbionAston Villa and Crystal Palace, clubs who occupy places in the bottom half of the table.
Although United have only won four of their 14 away fixtures this season, that trio of teams possess some of the worst home records in the division, the best being Palace's return of six wins from 15 outings at Selhurst Park.
As it stands, the final away contest of the season is due to be held at the King Power Stadium against Leicester City, a team who have the second-best home record in the league behind runaway leaders Liverpool.
Manchester United's Anthony Martial celebrates scoring their second goal with Bruno Fernandes and teammates on February 23, 2020© Reuters
From their final four home matches, Sheffield United is the standout game, one which is currently due to be held immediately after the trip to Spurs.




While United have only lost two of their 15 outings at Old Trafford this season, the Blades have suffered two defeats and conceded 12 goals from 13 games on their travels.
The remaining fixtures at the Theatre of Dreams are seemingly in United's favour, with BournemouthSouthampton and West Ham United due to make the trip to the North-West.
While Southampton have had success on their travels this season, they have also shipped 21 goals, including seven in recent trips to Liverpool and West Ham respectively.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford scores against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on December 4, 2019© Reuters
With six of United's final nine opponents sitting in the bottom half of the table, the average position of their upcoming foes is 12.33, an indication that Solskjaer's side have been presented with a favourable end to the campaign.
However, it is worth noting that United only registered 12 points from the reverse fixtures earlier in the season, despite playing more games at Old Trafford.
Man United's remaining Premier League fixtures
Spurs (a)
Sheffield United (h)
Brighton (a)
Bournemouth (h)
Aston Villa (a)
Southampton (h)
Crystal Palace (a)
West Ham (h)
Leicester (a)

Nenhum comentário:

Postar um comentário