Realistic expectations for the second half of the season

[LAM09 6,839]

So much depends on what business we do in Jan. FA Cup and scrapping into the top 4 is probably the best we can hope for. See 6-7 being more realistic.

Winning the CL seems so far off, but we did win it when we were hopeless in the league and had an interim coach.

[Henrique 9,133]

Europa League via PL is only for the 5th placed side. The other teams come from League Cup and FA Cup.

Europa League is a cool tournament, and might be a way to achieve 2017/18 UCL. With the team in a rebuilding process, I see no reason to see a top 4 finish as an easy thing to do. It might be easier to win the Europa League than finishing in the top 4, specially during a rebuilding process.

[Henrique 9,133]

Here's the thing guys,

Do we even want Europa? Lets rewind a little bit to when United crashed out the CL last time and ended up crashing out of the Europa too. They put all their concentration on the league and finishing back in the top 4 that they did so with relative ease.

Liverpool, in their title chasing year with Suarez, were knocked out the Europa League pretty early. Had it not been for us, ironically, they probably would have gone on to win the title that year.

So as bad as it sounds, if we don't finish top 4, I'd rather we finished 9th (just to be safe, because these days even 8th somehow gets you into the EL )

Chelsea won EL in 2013 also got a top 4 finish. I don't believe United finishing top 4 and Liverpool almost winning the league are related with early EL exits. Actually only 5th placed PL team play Europa League. So, only 6th or 7th can play Europa League, as long as both teams that win FA Cup and League Cup are top 5 sides.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Chelsea won EL in 2013 also got a top 4 finish. I don't believe United finishing top 4 and Liverpool almost winning the league are related with early EL exits. Actually only 5th placed PL team play Europa League. So, only 6th or 7th can play Europa League, as long as both teams that win FA Cup and League Cup are top 5 sides.

Yeah, but also you find team are now gaining entry through the 'fair play league' as well, which is why in rare cases even 8th will get you in the EL.

I do accept that a big enough team with depth (as we're supposed to be) can manage both EL & League obligations. But it wouldn't be the worst case if didn't make the EL, would it?

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Yeah, but also you find team are now gaining entry through the 'fair play league' as well, which is why in rare cases even 8th will get you in the EL.

I do accept that a big enough team with depth (as we're supposed to be) can manage both EL & League obligations. But it wouldn't be the worst case if didn't make the EL, would it?

There are pros and cons for Europa League football.

For me, the only major negative is Thursday night football. If it was played on a Tuesday or Wednesday, it wouldn't be much of an issue. Maybe there would be more travelling, but it would be a perfect channel for us to blood some of the youngsters at a fairly high level.

But, if we were to miss out on UCL/UEL football for next year, it would give our title challenge a bit of a lift. No need to worry about travelling to Ukraine before a Saturday mid-day kick-off at the Etihad. We'd have longer to prepare for games and I do think our league ambitions would be more easily fulfilled.

[Ossie the King 634]

There are pros and cons for Europa League football.

For me, the only major negative is Thursday night football. If it was played on a Tuesday or Wednesday, it wouldn't be much of an issue. Maybe there would be more travelling, but it would be a perfect channel for us to blood some of the youngsters at a fairly high level.

But, if we were to miss out on UCL/UEL football for next year, it would give our title challenge a bit of a lift. No need to worry about travelling to Ukraine before a Saturday mid-day kick-off at the Etihad. We'd have longer to prepare for games and I do think our league ambitions would be more easily fulfilled.

I do admire your optimism but it's way too early to be talking title challenges next season. I think realistically we're looking at survival this year and rebuilding for a couple of seasons. If City and United get the managers we expect, then we aren't likely to be contenders.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I do admire your optimism but it's way too early to be talking title challenges next season. I think realistically we're looking at survival this year and rebuilding for a couple of seasons. If City and United get the managers we expect, then we aren't likely to be contenders.

I disagree. Should we get a manager in the Simeone or Guardiola mould, we'll be challengers.

[Ossie the King 634]

I disagree. Should we get a manager in the Simeone or Guardiola mould, we'll be challengers.

We aren't getting pep and Simeone wants more control than is currently possible. Plus we need at least 6 additional players.

My opinion is that the club is in huge trouble. Survival this season is the highest of expectations. Beyond that we need to make massive changes but no one seems prepared to make them.

[Blue_Fox_ 2,086]

I disagree. Should we get a manager in the Simeone or Guardiola mould, we'll be challengers.

If City gets Guardiola and United gets José, last year's titles will be the last one for a couple of years. I just hope we'll get a Simeone or Conte kind of manager, all these talks about Rodgers and Pellegrini have me scared.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

We aren't getting pep and Simeone wants more control than is currently possible. Plus we need at least 6 additional players.

My opinion is that the club is in huge trouble. Survival this season is the highest of expectations. Beyond that we need to make massive changes but no one seems prepared to make them.

I really do wonder when we're going to come out of this cycle the club has of 'nearly' building a long-term team. We simply haven't managed to do it, ironically enough, since Mourinho built the last one (with the help of Ranieri). Go figure

[Ossie the King 634]

I really do wonder when we're going to come out of this cycle the club has of 'nearly' building a long-term team. We simply haven't managed to do it, ironically enough, since Mourinho built the last one (with the help of Ranieri). Go figure

When the owner changes his ways or goes. He makes the same mistakes over and over again. Some may say that's rehiring Mourinho, others may say it's going from Grant to Emenalo. Either way, he's ultimately the one holding us back or leading us forward.

[Blue_Fox_ 2,086]

I really do wonder when we're going to come out of this cycle the club has of 'nearly' building a long-term team. We simply haven't managed to do it, ironically enough, since Mourinho built the last one (with the help of Ranieri). Go figure

That's because we are masters of getting a job half done. Look no further than last summer after winning the title.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

That's because we are masters of getting a job half done. Look no further than last summer after winning the title.

Indeed.. Alluded it to it a few days ago, but very similar to when Carlo won the Double. Great achievement but lack of vision and foresight cost him & us.

[Ossie the King 634]

Indeed.. Alluded it to it a few days ago, but very similar to when Carlo won the Double. Great achievement but lack of vision and foresight cost him & us.

Yup. Spend just £23 million on Ramires and Benayoun (!) and then panic in January by buying Torres.

No vision then, spend a few years buying youngsters, then bring in Jose and do something else, win the league and then underinvest again. Ridiculous chain of events.

[Laylabelle 9,406]

Win a few games in a row?be nice to be surprised

[dee25 1,044]

Win a few games in a row?be nice to be surprised

You stole mine.

I think the last time we strung together 5 consecutive wins was 2013/14 season.

[Tomo 21,736]

In the league their is still 57 points to play for, we have to aim for at least 40 to put us on 60, where that puts us in the table depends on others, but we have to aim for that to put some respectability back in this campaign.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

We aren't getting pep and Simeone wants more control than is currently possible. Plus we need at least 6 additional players.

My opinion is that the club is in huge trouble. Survival this season is the highest of expectations. Beyond that we need to make massive changes but no one seems prepared to make them.

Each to their own, but you can't possible claim to know that we won't get Pep or Simeone. The additional six players isn't a problem thanks to the millions being pumped in through TV revenues. This is a blip, a bad season. We will need years to rebuild sufficiently but we will not roll back into the dark ages for a decade like Arsenal did, as some people think.

If City gets Guardiola and United gets José, last year's titles will be the last one for a couple of years. I just hope we'll get a Simeone or Conte kind of manager, all these talks about Rodgers and Pellegrini have me scared.

José will destroy United's long-term future for a couple of seasons of success, as he's done here.