{"id":1224,"date":"2025-04-02T04:49:19","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T04:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1224\/"},"modified":"2025-04-02T04:49:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T04:49:19","slug":"seven-reasons-to-be-cautiously-optimistic-about-manchester-uniteds-run-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1224\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven reasons to be cautiously optimistic about Manchester United\u2019s run-in"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not since the 2022 World Cup have Manchester United\u2019s<\/a> men\u2019s team gone so long without a game during a season.<\/p>\n

United\u2019s last game was at Leicester City on March 16 before the international break and, with Ruben Amorim\u2019s side out of the FA Cup, it means a total of 16 days will have passed before tonight\u2019s trip back to the East Midlands, where they will face Nottingham Forest.<\/p>\n

United haven\u2019t won consecutive Premier League games this term and third-in-the-table Forest have surprised all after a 17th-place finish last season. But the United mood is lighter than a month ago. So, as we prepare for the run-in, here are seven reasons for some cautious optimism.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Bilbao or bust<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the last game at Leicester, the 3,000 travelling fans hollered: \u201cFollow, follow, follow, \u2018cos United are going to Bilbao\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

That was during a Premier League game but domestic success isn\u2019t the story. Should United not finish above 13th, then to salvage anything after their worst league season since the 1973 relegation can only come from winning the Europa League.<\/p>\n

Winning the competition will be difficult but United have reached the last eight and should they be successful in games against Lyon, then a semi-final against Bilbao\u2019s Athletic Club or Rangers will follow, then potentially another trip to Spain\u2019s 10th-largest city for the final \u2014 and a third to the Basque Country in as many months after last month\u2019s clash with Real Sociedad.<\/p>\n

Winning the Europa League will guarantee Champions League football next season, a third successive season with a trophy, a much-needed financial boost and more appeal to any new summer recruits.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re playing Champions League football\u201d is more enticing than, \u201cWe just finished 13th\u201d.<\/p>\n

Former coach Jose Mourinho clinically targeted the Europa League against Ajax in 2017 but he had a team who had already won the Carabao Cup, and were sixth in the league. Amorim does not but United\u2019s 2024-25 season would be defined by winning a European trophy. Miss out and this will be a season everyone wants to forget. It\u2019s Bilbao or bust.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Manchester United overcame Real Sociedad in the last 16 of the Europa League (Darren Staples\/AFP via Getty Images)Impressive European form<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re pulling out the positives here and United\u2019s European form has settled to be one of the best on the continent. Remember the awkward stats about no away wins in six or only one European win in 10? They vanished with a December victory in freezing Plzen<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That came after three draws in United\u2019s opening three Europa League games. They won the next five, then grabbed a creditable draw in San Sebastian against Real Sociedad before impressively defeating the Basques 4-1 at Old Trafford<\/a> to set up a last-eight tie against Lyon.<\/p>\n

United are the only unbeaten team of the 72 clubs in the group stages of Europe\u2019s two biggest continental club competitions.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also true that United have yet to meet a top side in Europe and sources on the inside, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, acknowledge that the calibre of opponents has been a reason United have been able to rack up wins. Nobody is complaining, though, especially as rivals have been eliminated from European competition already.<\/p>\n

Players returning from injury<\/strong><\/p>\n

Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire all returned to training<\/a> after the international break.<\/p>\n

With Lisandro Martinez out, Maguire is needed. The 32-year-old was a first-choice starter alongside Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt in a back three until he picked up a calf injury last month.<\/p>\n

Yoro wasn\u2019t bought for this season. Instead, the aim was for him to settle in ahead of a hopefully prosperous career at Old Trafford. Yet after returning in December from an ankle injury picked up on pre-season in Los Angeles, he featured in 14 of the next 15 league games, starting seven. He\u2019s ready to play again.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Leny Yoro could return from injury against Nottingham Forest (Ben Roberts Photo\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Shaw hasn\u2019t played for United since December 1 when he came on for the final 34 minutes of a 4-0 win at home to Everton. The 29-year-old also came on for the final 34 minutes of the preceding league game at Ipswich, plus 30 minutes of the win against a Bodo\/Glimt side United could yet meet again in the Europa League. Before that, Shaw hadn\u2019t played for nine months. Yet in 2022-23, he played 47 United games in all competitions.<\/p>\n

When he\u2019s fit, he\u2019s an important player, though Shaw\u2019s still not ready, according to Amorim.<\/p>\n

Wins breed confidence<\/strong><\/p>\n

United\u2019s overall form in 2025 has been played 17, won nine, drawn four, lost four. Hardly glorious but an improvement after the worst December since 1933.<\/p>\n

The dressing-room mood is said to have improved from there, that there\u2019s a better spirit and group mentality. That\u2019s not always been the case.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s also realism. The quality of players at United \u2014 or the stage of the careers that some of the younger players are at \u2014 is not close to being able to push for a title. United are 13th because there have been 12 better teams after 29 games. The last five league games were against Spurs (L 1-0; 14th when the game started), Everton (D 2-2; 14th), Ipswich (W 3-2; 18th), Arsenal (D 1-1; second) and Leicester City (W 3-0; 19th).<\/p>\n

United have picked up 43 per cent of their total league points this season in the six games against the bottom three.<\/p>\n

The next five are distinctly harder. They play Forest (third at present), Manchester City (fifth), Newcastle United (sixth), Wolves (17th) and Bournemouth (10th). Four of those five have already defeated United in the league so far.<\/p>\n

An upturn in form against them will see the mood lift even more.<\/p>\n

Manchester United’s fixtures<\/p>\nDateOpponentCompetition<\/tr>\n\n\n

April 1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Nott’m Forest (A)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Premier League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

April 6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Manchester City (H)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Premier League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

April 10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Lyon (A)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Europa League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

April 13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Newcastle (A)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Premier League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

April 17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Lyon (H)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Europa League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

April 20<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Wolves (H)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Premier League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

April 27<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Bournemouth (A)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Premier League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

May 3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Brentford (A)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Premier League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

May 10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

West Ham (H)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Premier League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

May 18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Chelsea (A)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Premier League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n\n

May 25<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Aston Villa (H)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

Premier League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

The youth and women\u2019s teams<\/strong><\/p>\n

Going out of the FA Youth Cup<\/a> at the semi-final stage on penalties at Villa Park on Monday was a blow, especially as the final would have been at Old Trafford, where a 60,000-plus crowd would have been achievable, but the youth system is in a good place.<\/p>\n

United use the support for their youth team (1,500 travelling fans were at Villa) and the clear pathway to first-team football to attract young players. The first team is youthful, too, and there\u2019s clear potential of the new players, including the recently arrived Ayden Heaven, 18, and Patrick Dorgu, 20.<\/p>\n

United\u2019s women\u2019s team are also having a good season and are well-placed for Champions League football next season, albeit ahead of a tough run-in<\/a>. Marc Skinner has led his side to an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City on April 13th.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Antony and Rashford are doing well on loan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why is that a good thing, when we\u2019re reminded of the talents of players who\u2019ve been let out on loan? Well, it could be worse.<\/p>\n

When Antony Martial went to Sevilla in 2022, the idea was that he\u2019d play well, increase his value and be sold. But Martial barely played and there was no desire from Spanish clubs to sign him.<\/p>\n

Across the city at Real Betis, Antony is doing so well that his team-mate Isco has suggested that the club start a crowdfunder to keep him<\/a>. The Andalusians have started winning, rising from 12th to sixth in La Liga, and Antony has a starring role. On Sunday, they won their first Seville derby in seven years.<\/p>\n

There will be more eyes on him when he plays at Montjuic against leaders Barcelona on Saturday. Barca were once interested in signing Antony from Ajax.<\/p>\n

Betis are delighted with Antony, who has started all 12 games since he moved to Spain\u2019s fourth biggest city in January. United are unlikely to get anything like the \u00a381.3million ($104.9m at current rates) that they paid for the 25-year-old \u2014 and the days of Betis breaking the world transfer record, as they did to sign another Brazilian, Denilson, in 1998 \u2014 are long gone, but he\u2019s showing his worth in a top league, and that will be attractive to suitors.<\/p>\n

Rashford is also being credited for doing well at Aston Villa. It\u2019s good for both players, for their loan clubs, and it should be positive for United, either by getting a higher fee for them or, though less likely, welcoming back in-form players.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not all bright, though. While Tyrell Malacia is getting much-needed games at PSV, Jadon Sancho has been less impressive at Chelsea<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If United can do what they\u2019ve struggled to in recent years and sell well, then it\u2019ll make a significant difference to how much money Amorim will have in the summer transfer windows.<\/p>\n

Put simply: Bruno Fernandes exists<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bruno Fernandes plays for Manchester United \u2014 and he\u2019s currently by far the team\u2019s best player, one of the few positives in a poor season so far.<\/p>\n

If United are to salvage something from this season, he\u2019ll be at the heart of it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

(Carl Recine\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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