Despite not winning a Premier League title since 2013, Manchester United are always a hot focus point every season. This year is no different, with fans and pundits alike questioning whether Erik Ten Hag can push Manchester United over the line to get them an all-important Champions League spot. It’s something he failed to do last season (finishing an underwhelming 8th in the table) and there are even rumblings that Ten Hag won’t see out the season with the ‘Reds’ — but let’s see what the bookmakers think.
Manchester United Are Currently 7/2 to Make the Top 4
Most sportsbooks currently have Manchester United listed at 7/2 to land a Champions League spot.
The odds reflect that Manchester United do have a respectable chance. However, the overriding expectation is that Manchester City and Arsenal will grab the first and second place positions while third and fourth will be occupied by Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, or Spurs.
The Red Devils have shown in the past that they can go on impressive league runs, but it appears that a 6th to 8th place finish is much more likely for them this season. This is especially true based on their inconsistent start (losing to Brighton and Liverpool) as well as the uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future.
If you want to bet on Manchester United to make the top 4, you can use the BettingTools free calculator to discover how much your potential bet would make. For example, a £10 at 7/2 would earn a profit of £35 if United were to finish inside the top 4 of the Premier League this season.
Why Manchester United Will Struggle to Get a Top 4 Spot
Erik Ten Hag Could Be Facing the Sack
Last season, it was expected by Manchester United fans and the media that Erik Ten Hag would be relieved of his duties over the summer, allowing for a new manager to come in. However, a miracle FA Cup victory over Manchester City saw Ten Hag keep the job by the skin of his teeth, receiving a 1-year contract extension in the process.
After a poor start to the 2024-25 season, though, the pressure on Ten Hag has once again been reignited. If the Reds remain unconvincing in the build-up to Christmas, then there’s a very strong possibility that the Dutchman will be sacked and ultimately replaced by one of Gareth Southgate, Graham Potter, Thomas Tuchel, or Ruud van Nistelrooy.
In the likelihood that this happens, it could lead to Manchester United receiving a new manager bounce and going on an inspired run, but a top 4 finish will likely be out of realistic reach by that point. Until then, the Manchester United hierarchy will continue to assess Ten Hag on what seems like a game-to-game basis.
No Goal Threat
Manchester United are lacking some serious goal threat up front. It’s been a while since they’ve had a 30-goal a season striker, which is becoming more apparent on the pitch each season that goes by. New signing Joshua Zirkzee certainly looks like a good player, but there’s a huge question mark around whether the 23-year-old can push the 30-goal mark (or even 20-goal mark) this season.
Similarly, the currently injured striker Rasmus Højlund has struggled since arriving at Manchester United and serious doubts remain about his long-term prosperity. If Manchester United are to push for a top 4 place, bringing in a big-name striker in January would give them a major boost. If they don’t do this, though, missing out on the top 4 becomes more likely.
A Concerning Lack of Squad Depth
For the past several years, Manchester United have struggled with a concerning lack of squad depth. This is something that Ten Hag himself has commented on, confirming a few months ago “I’ve asked INEOS for more depth, yes.”
When it comes to the lack of depth, it’s perhaps most apparent in defence, where Harry Maguire and veteran Jonny Evans currently serve as back-up. There’s also the underlying concern about what would happen if Bruno Fernandes is to get injured, as Eriksen, Mount, and Mainoo don’t have the same legs or energy as the United captain.
An Underwhelming Summer Transfer Window
After the official takeover of Ineos and United’s huge FA Cup win over Manchester City last season, it was expected that the Reds Devils would make a big statement signing during the summer. This never came to fruition, though, with United instead signing Bayern Munich pair Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui along with Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro. Despite being good signings, the general consensus is that United are still lacking in key areas, which is likely going to be the undoing for Ten Hag as the season progresses.
Ageing Players
Despite spending over £400m on players since arriving at the club back in 2022, Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United squad features several ageing players. The biggest concern is 5-time Champions League winner Casemiro, whose “legs have gone” according to most fans and pundits in the media. However, Casemiro is currently in the middle of serving a 4-year contract with the Reds, posing a slight headache for the United hierarchy. At the same time, United don’t want to rely too heavily on Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen or Jonny Evans this season, who are also deemed to be under the level required of them in the Premier League.
Conclusion
Manchester United are unlikely to make the top 4 come the end of the 2024-25 Premier League season. As tough as this will be for fans to accept, United will struggle to keep up with the likes of Newcastle and Chelsea this season, who are much better equipped to land the third and fourth place spots. There could also be trouble on the horizon, too, with many experts in the media predicting that it’s a matter of time before Ten Hag is sacked and replaced by a new manager.