With only 11 games remaining in the English Premier League, Manchester United surprisingly find themselves in an unfamiliar position: sitting sixth in the EPL table, 11 points behind arch-rivals Liverpool and more importantly that final and precious UEFA Champions League spot.
In the English Premier League the teams that finish in the top four at the end of the football season qualify for arguably, the most prestigious club competition in the world: the UEFA Champions League.
The competition consists of 32 teams from all over Europe and Manchester United are no strangers to it, reaching the final four times in the past 15 years and lifting the trophy twice, in 1999 and 2008.
United still possess the chance of qualifying via the premier league, but they will have to consistently get positive results and hope that all of Everton, Tottenham, and Liverpool drop points.
However, there is also one more way: winning the Champions League.
That would mean surviving and winning possible fixtures against some of the very best teams in Europe that include, Lionel Messi’s Barcelona, Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich, and (former Manchester United player) Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid.
Manchester United have not played well in the premier league this season and although the Red Devils were not challenged much in their group games of the Champions League the possibility of them qualifying for next years tournament by winning the competition this season seems likelier than them overcoming an 11 point deficit in the premier league.
The Red Devils resume their quest for the Champions League trophy Feb. 25 when they take on Greek club Olympiakos in their first-leg of their last 16 matchup.
If United advance to the quarterfinals, as they should, the belief of them attaining European glory will gather momentum within the team and the fans.
There is a lot of football to be played, both in the premier league and in the champions league and Manchester United will keep fighting for positive results, hoping that at the end of the campaign the goal of them taking part in next season’s Champions League is achieved.
How great would it be for us Manchester United fans, if we lift the Champions League trophy after Liverpool finish fourth. Hope still remains.