Manchester United have named Darren Fletcher in their Champions League group stage squad.
The Scotland international has been out of action since half-way through last season after suffering a bowel condition, and has been ill.
However, with a thorough rehabilitation process underway, the combative midfielder is close to making a return to action and has been included in the Red Devils’ contingent for the European competition.
Sir Alex Ferguson is pleased with Fletcher’s progress and hopes he can call upon his countryman in the near future.
“Darren’s put a lot of weight back on,” the United manager told reporters, published in Sky Sports.
“He’s back to his normal weight from two or three years ago. It’s a case of wait and see.
“But Darren comes into the 25-man squad quite easily, without me having to leave others out because we have a number of players who we don’t need to register because of the time they’ve spent with us as an academy player.
“That’s an advantage. He’s training well every day and played really well the other night for the under-21s,” Ferguson revealed.
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Mark Hughes is finding votes of confidence easier to come by than points at the moment. Tony Fernandes, the Queens Park Rangers chairman, has given a second message of support to the manager in the space of a week, and the players who are bottom of the table have also issued a ringing endorsement of the manager’s credentials.
“For all QPR fans. Fans who analyse properly. I am not changing anything. And all shareholders agree,” tweeted Fernandes on Sunday morning, in response to the criticism that followed a fifth defeat of the season. “No team except the first game [against Swansea] has outplayed us. We need a consistent four defenders, not changing every week, especially left and right-back. Mark is the right man. For all those calling for change, this is the team that outplayed Spurs [and] gave Chelsea a damn good game, and you want change? No way.”
Hughes, in other words, is in for the long haul. Fernandes, though, has helpfully identified a few areas where the manager needs to get to work.
Esteban Granero, one of 12 summer signings, suggested the finger of blame needs to be pointed at the players, rather than the manager who has picked up 22 points from his 25 games in charge. “We all support the manager – we know he is the best manager we can have,” said the Spaniard, whose fine goal in injury time counted for nothing. “Most of the losses are not his fault. It is our fault – the people that are on the pitch. We are the ones who have to improve. We are worried because this is not where we want to be. This is not expected of the squad we have.”
It is arguable that QPR lack a leader figure on the pitch. Mark Hughes likes a good leader in his sides. Someone who can defend well, and have a multiplier effect on those around him. Someone to lead by example by blocking a shot, or simply to talk team mates through situations. When to stay on their feet, when to foul, when not to foul, and so forth. It’s the reason John Terry was his number one target when he was City manager, and why QPR made bids last January for Alex and Chris Samba, both aerially and physically dominant players. It’s the reason why QPR targeted Michael Dawson this summer, agreeing a fee but not personal terms with the Tottenham captain. None of these deals materialised and the club were left rudderless.
QPR have since made Park Ji-Sung, a great pro and example to team mates, the club’s captain. What Park does not bring is vocal leadership, a particular ability to organise those around him, or the ability to do things like talk to the referee. With Park missing from QPR’s trip to Arsenal, Ryan Nelsen took over the captaincy of the side. Now, no disrespect the veteran New Zealand defender, but Nelsen is no longer a particularly good player and was signed this summer as much for his dressing room influence and experience as his actual defending.
Beyond that, there are few candidates for a leadership role. In it a sad indication of QPR’s footballing character of the last few seasons that their previous two captains were Adel Taarabt and Joey Barton. Of course, Taarabt was never captaincy material, but the armband lifted his game and he played a massive part in getting QPR in to the Premier League. After his outbursts about departing the club, Joey Barton took over as club captain. QPR struggled massively, Barton performed poorly and the side very nearly went down. Another club who made a new signing captain, Wolves, were relegated. QPR have now done the same for the second season in a row and have started poorly and look more likely to be in a relegation scrap than in a comfortable mid-table position.
Any side without a good organiser in defence will struggle at defending crosses and set-pieces. These have been QPR’s biggest issues this season as opponents have lost their markers. Every player appears concentrated on their own jobs, and not able to cover for those around them. The poor disciplinary record is alarming – 11 red cards since the start of last season. This appears to stem from a lack of on-field leadership, and Mark Hughes must take some of the blame for this too. His Blackburn side were overly physical at times, but they had the football intelligence to make sure there were not too many red cards. Stéphane Mbia’s frankly ludicrous sending off may very well have cost QPR a point at The Emirates. This was from a player who has spoken in the past about not wanting to play in central defence for Marseille. You can’t help but question whether frustration over his position played a part.
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The results on the road have been extremely poor. In Hughes’ 14 away league games in charge, the side have picked up only 2 points – draws at Aston Villa and Norwich. Away trips are about defending well and being tactically intelligent. It’s also about keeping your emotions in check, and using some important tools to stop opponents – occasional tactical fouling, slowing the game down, wasting time, and drawing fouls. These can all be done within reason without cards being shown. However, there’s no player to be the manager’s on-field incarnation. Experienced managers can pair up weaker personalities with a stronger one on the field to talk them through games, remind them of their responsibilities, ensure they’re picking up their man at set-pieces etc. QPR are lacking in any types of these players, never mind having enough to have a leader in each department of the side.
The next few games may very well decide Mark Hughes’ future at QPR manager. Southampton, Aston Villa and Fulham all visit Loftus Road and this is a good chance to pick up some wins. If they don’t pick up a decent haul of points from these games, Hughes might find himself getting the sack. Not a lot can be done about the team lacking a literal and figurative spine until the January window opens.
In a way you have to feel a degree of sorrow for Brendan Rodgers, in what can only be described as, a nightmare start to his reign as Reds boss. Three games into the new Premier League campaign and already the vultures of pessimism are circling around Merseyside ready to gnaw a chunk out of Rodgers at every available opportunity. Question marks over his relationship with owner John W. Henry have also come into question after a misunderstanding that saw the Northern Irishman sanction a loan move for Andy Carroll only to learn he wouldn’t have the funds to bring in a replacement. It’s just another off the field distraction that has contributed to a disappointing start to the season. Rodgers’ plan to build a new Anfield dynasty is also under threat after Henry commented in the week that the days of affluent spending is over as the club battle to balance the books in the aftermath of Kenny Dalglish’s catastrophic second spell in the dugout. Altering their recruitment strategy in order to focus on cost effective signings with significant sell on value isn’t necessarily a step back but with the 39-year-old having blown a substantial hole in his budget during the summer is there enough in the pot to strengthen his squad in January?
This week on FFC is Pepe Reina becoming a liability for the Reds nowadays and which Italian superstar did the club make a last ditch bid for?
[divider]
Best of FFC
In light of Liverpool’s woe, is it dangerous to have owners who are tied up elsewhere?
Fast becoming a liability at Anfield?
Are Liverpool The First To Feel The Pinch?
Brendan Rodgers left in the mire
The criticisms show how short-sighted football has become
Are Liverpool still paying the price for his failings?
Did the Premier League miss the boat on this player?
Pignata confirms Liverpool made late bid
Liverpool ace to fight for his place at Anfield
Luigi insists they won’t budge on Damiao valuation
[divider]
Best of WEB
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Loss Highlights Lack of Tiki-Taka Experience – Live 4 Liverpool
Bravo, Brendan! You did the right thing trying to shift KD’s flops… – Liverpool Kop
“Death by football” – Rodgers explains his Liverpool vision – This is Anfield
‘He had no impact!’ – Fairclough blasts ‘ineffective’ Gerrard. Drop him? – Liverpool Kop
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Can We Ever Get Back to the Top? – The Tomkins Times
Who’s Really To Blame For Lack Of Deadline Day Dealings? – Live 4 Liverpool
The curious case of FSG: where now? – This is Anfield
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Quote of the Week
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“We are still in the process of reversing the errors of previous regimes. It will not happen overnight. It has been compounded by our own mistakes in a difficult first two years of ownership. It has been a harsh education, but make no mistake, the club is healthier today than when we took over. We will build and grow from within, buy prudently and cleverly and never again waste resources on inflated transfer fees and unrealistic wages. We have no fear of spending and competing with the very best but we will not overpay for players. We will never place this club in the precarious position that we found it in when we took over at Anfield.” John W. Henry defends Liverpool’s new transfer philosophy
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is reportedly interested in signing CSKA Moscow striker Seydou Doumbia when the transfer window reopens in January, according to Talk Sport.
The Magpies face tough opposition in the race to sign the 24-year-old, with Italian giants Lazio and Napoli also vying for Doumbia’s signature. It is thought that the Russian side CSKA Moscow would be willing for the Ivorian international to leave the club for a fee of around the £16 million mark.
Doumbia made his reputation at Swiss outfit Young Boys where he scored 57 goals in two seasons – before joining Moscow in the summer of 2010. Young Boys missed his presence the following season as they failed to qualify for the Champions League proper losing 6-3 to Tottenham in the fourth round qualification stage.
The striker then continued his impressive goal tally netting 26 goals for Moscow last season. Doumbia won the Russian Premier League golden boot despite CSKA Moscow finishing a disappointing third in the table and failing to qualify for Europe.
Pardew may envisage Doumbia as a replacement for Demba Ba, who has recently voiced his discontent at St. James’ Park.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have been bolstered by the news that Pardew has signed at the new contract at club meaning the 51-year-old will not stay at the club until 2020.
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Manchester City are hoping to lure Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi to the Premier League during the January transfer window, according to reports from The Telegraph.
Roberto Mancini held his first meeting with new Director of Football Txiki Begiristain earlier this week and the pair have put the Italian international at the top of their list of targets.
The 29-year-old is believed to be unsettled in Rome following the arrival of new coach Zdenek Zemen.
Under the Czech manager De Rossi has been played out of position on the right hand side of a 4-3-3 formation, which has left the local hero disillusioned and frustrated.
City failed with an approach to sign the holding midfielder over the summer, as he pledged his commitment to the club.
However, Mancini believes he may now be able to entice his target to the Etihad Stadium by taking advantage of his unrest.
Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be monitoring the situation and could rival any approach from the Citizens.
De Rossi was a key member of the Italian squad during EURO 2012. His displays in the centre of the park aided the team on their journey to the final, which they eventually lost to Spain.
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Although he is a central midfielder by trade, the Roma vice-captain has been known to play as part of a three-man defence, which may appeal to the Premier League champions who have adopted the same system on multiple occasions this season.
Everton defender Phil Jagielka has admitted that there will be more opportunities for him due to John Terry retiring from England duty.
The Chelsea stalwart hung his boots up on international action earlier this year due to the ongoing FA investigations into his reported racist remarks to Anton Ferdinand.
As such, Jagielka feels that there is healthy competition for places at centre-back for the Three Lions, and is eager to be involved against Poland on Tuesday.
“John and Rio played together for England forever didn’t they?” Jagielka stated to reporters, published in The Telegraph.
“They had a great partnership. In the last 10 or 11 months, many things have changed. With John deciding to call it a day, it opens the door even more. It is not too cut out who is first name down and that only makes it healthy. No one is guaranteed a place any more.
“I wouldn’t say I resigned myself to not starting but that’s the role you get put into when there are people in front of you who aren’t particularly giving you the opportunity to get a game. If the manager did decide to rest a couple of players in the previous years, when the international qualifiers came around again, you would expect John Terry and Rio Ferdinand to be playing again.
“I’m gutted as an England fan. Terry has been a fantastic player for England, he’s put his body on the line for many years now.
“But he had his reasons. It was his decision — he wasn’t forced as in like a gun to his head or anything. If you look at it from a purely personal point of view, it was one less person to compete with playing for England.
“As much as I was gutted he wasn’t going to play for England again, it was also an opportunity for me to try to go higher up the pecking order. I’ve been around the squad for the last couple of years or so, played a game here and there, and I’d like to play on a more consistent basis,” he concluded.
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Wayne Rooney is not the right man to be captain of Manchester United, according to former England and Liverpool star Stan Collymore.
The Three Lions ace was given the armband by new boss Louis van Gaal over the summer following the exit of Nemanja Vidic, in a move that was criticised by some.
Although he’s one of the club’s all-time greats in terms of goals scored, Rooney’s temperament has often been criticised down the years.
WANT MORE? >> Manchester United transfer news | Latest transfer news
His actions once again made front and back page headlines last weekend as he was given a straight red card for a wild hack at West Ham’s Stewart Downing, and although Collymore doesn’t believe that the 29-year-old should be written off for such an act, he is sure that he’s not the correct player to captain United:
“I don’t think Wayne Rooney has represented the best of Manchester United of the last four or five years, if I’m being honest,” he told Bleacher Report.
“Should Wayne Rooney be thrown under the bus for being sent off? No, not really.
“Five years is a long time between sendings off. But should he be captain of Manchester United? No, I think that Louis Van Gaal should be looking elsewhere for the longer term.”
But Collymore went on to say that Rooney is still vital for United:
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“Let’s not forget, he’s won multiple Premier Leagues, he’s a Champions League winner, he’s approaching 100 caps for England, and a very, very experienced and useful man to have in and around your team and your squad.”
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Juventus have made a move for highly rated Udinese defender and Liverpool FC target Pablo Armero, according to talkSPORT.
The Italian press have reported that Juventus have made the first step in claiming Armero, by tabling an €8 million bid. However, it is thought that Udinese will hold firm for their €10 million valuation of the Columbian international.
It was thought that Brendan Rodgers was keen to bring in defensive options in January, after a less than impressive start to the Premier League season. Juventus’ swift movements will mean that the new man at Anfield will have to act quickly or risk losing his top transfer target.
Armero started his career with Columbian side Deportivo Cali before moving to Palmeiras in 2009. Impressive performances for the Brazilian side ignited interest from Italy and while a move to Parma collapsed at the last minute, in August 2010, Udinese claimed the defender.
At just 26, Armero already has 30 caps for Columbia. His position for his club tends to be at left wing back as Udinese play with an effective 3-5-2 formation. However, the South American plays left back for his country and started at centre back for Palmeiras so is versatile along the back line.
No comments have been made by the player himself but it is thought that now Italian giants Juventus have made their interest known, that will be Armero’s likely destination in January.
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It’s a name that’s been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur for nearly a season now, but as the transfer speculation heats up regarding the club’s potential swoop for Hamburg forward Heung-Min Son, some supporters are already turning their attention to where the Korean might fit in their side.
While the club’s interest in Son can be traced back to the summer of 2012, it’s believed that the 20-year-old’s hesitation in signing an extension to a contract that expires next season could see him leave the Imtech Arena for as little as £8.5million.
And further still, if a report in this morning’s Independent is to be believed, the player himself is said to be keen on the prospect of linking up with Andre Villas-Boas’ side, too.
But with the team screaming out for a forward of the highest calibre and several other elements of the side needing addressing come the summer, can Spurs really afford to invest the best part of £10million in a player whose age and inexperience ensures a potential deal remains very much an eight-figure gamble?
The cynics among the Lilywhites support won’t even necessarily need to have seen the Chuncheon-born talent play, to raise suspicions about the club’s motivation to acquire his signature this summer. Barely out of his teens and adjoined with a lofty reputation forged on the continent, Son bears the hallmark and resale value of the sort of player that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy loves to bring to the club.
Throw in the usual skepticism that follows the import of a player with the marketing capacity to unlock the lucrative Asian market and perhaps it’s understandable that not all supporters are jumping out of their seat at the prospect of the South Korean making the move to N17.
But regardless of what Son might bring to the club off the pitch, he also has the capacity to have a profound effect on the field of play. His signing might please Levy, but don’t think for five minutes that Son might find himself out of his depth in the white side of North London.
After joining the Bundesliga side at the tender age of only 16, Son has had to endure the usual sort of labeling that comes with such a high-profile at such a young age. Certainly, the ‘Asian Lionel Messi’ was a tag did little to encourage his development when he first arrived on German shores.
But if the pressure did little to aid his evolution from a fledgling, enigmatic youth player, it’s not done much to harm him, either.
Still three months off his 21st birthday, Son can already lay claim to 13 caps for his country, 67 top-flight appearances for Hamburg and an extremely impressive 17 Bundesliga goals to go with them – nine of which have come during the 2012/13 campaign.
The finished article, Son most certainly is not, but don’t let his age belie his capabilities. Equally adept with either foot, Son offers a threat from anywhere across a front attacking three and what’s more, he doesn’t seem to have a preference where, either.
“I don’t care where I play,” were the South Korean’s words upon breaking into the team in Hamburg.
“The main thing is I’m in the game. I can play right, left, as a forward or behind. What the coach says, I’ll do. I don’t have a favourite position. I’ll be anywhere and always on the throttle.”
With Tottenham’s lack of attacking potency past the duo of Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon being woefully exposed in recent games, oh how Villas-Boas’ side could do with Son’s talents now, as opposed to three or four months down the track.
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He offers pace, close control, an admirable work ethic but most importantly, a goal threat when positioned out on the flank. This season has seen the South Korean stationed out on the right-hand side more often than not for Thorsten Fink’s side and while supporters will be mindful of the worth that they place on current incumbent Aaron Lennon, Son would offer Villas-Boas a completely different option in terms of setting his side up.
The notion of recreating the 4-3-3 that the Portuguese enjoyed so much success with at Porto has largely been made redundant due to several factors, but the lack of another goalscoring winger has been one of the most poignant. Son’s composure in front of goal could open some more doors for Villas-Boas tactically and ease some of the goalscoring burden that Bale has had to shoulder for far too long this season.
For as efficient as Son might be in front of goal, despite his ability to play as a central striker he wouldn’t really offer Spurs a viable option as a long-term centre forward and that must be the priority at White Hart Lane this summer. But should the 20-year-old continue to stall upon a new deal at Hamburg, there’s absolutely no reason why the club shouldn’t pay the rumoured £8.5million fee that the German club are asking for.
Even at such a cut-price figure, there can be no denying that any deal to take Heung-Min Son to White Hart Lane will be something of a gamble. But if the £15million that Manchester United have recently shelled out to take Wilfried Zaha to Old Trafford can be deemed as something resembling a good investment, then Son’s signature must surely be a potential steal.
It’s already been a rather interesting season for Manchester United as they adapt to life with Louis van Gaal in the dugout.
The former champions broke the Premier League’s records for individual transfer fees and the amount spent by one club in a single window during the summer, but that was quickly juxtaposed by poor results against Burnley, MK Dons in the Capital One Cup and Leicester City.
As the Red Devils currently find themselves in fourth place however, following impressive wins against West Ham and Everton, there’s a new feeling of optimism around Old Trafford.
That’s shared in the Football FanCast office, to such an extent that we’ve decided to conjure up this list of the FIVE signs that Manchester United WILL qualify for the Champions League – their ultimate aim this season.
So without further ado…
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GOALS
Football – Manchester United v Everton – Barclays Premier League – Old Trafford – 5/10/14Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao celebrates scoring their second goalMandatory Credit: Action Images / Jason CairnduffLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account rep
Manchester United’s defensive frailties are well-known and widely documented but there’s no questioning their strength at the other end of the pitch, with an incredible attacking cast including the likes of Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
They’ve netted 13 times already this season, averaging out at 1.8 goals per game. As viewable below, that return is only betted by Chelsea and Manchester City:
In prior campaigns, such an imbalanced starting XI would only work against the Red Devils. But over the course of the last few years, the Premier League has become engulfed in a goal-friendly culture; in 2010 Chelsea bagged the most goals scored in a single season (103), in 2012 the title was decided on goal difference alone, and last term, two clubs – City and Liverpool – reached triple figures in the league.
Indeed, it appears resolute defending has taken a backward step throughout the top flight for the sake of proficiency going forward, something United currently possess in abundance. Falcao got off the mark with his first Premier League goal against Everton:
Whilst Angel Di Maria has already bagged three goals in just five appearances, but more about the Argentine maestro later.
Unknown quantity
Manchester United’s prolific goal-getting makes them very much an unknown quantity, a side other Premier League clubs will struggle to accurately prepare for.
After all, what will the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal truly be facing in the coming weeks? The old, rugged, determined United? The new breed of world-class attackers? Or a shambolic XI of youngsters and foreigners, still searching for balance, leadership and familiarity? Are they genuine title contenders, or just this season’s entertainers?
The unpredictability of results thus far under Louis van Gaal – the shock defeats to Mk Dons and Leicester City, a 4-0 thrashing in the Capital One Cup and a 5-3 comeback in the league respectively – and the immeasurable power of United’s history, further adds to the feeling of ambiguity.
They’ve already employed two completely different systems this year – a 4-1-2-1-2 and a 3-4-3 – and United’s starting Xi is absolutely bursting with match-winners – players who can turn a game on its head in an instant.
Yet to face a major opponent, the element of surprise currently accompanying United will keep the Premier League’s top clubs attempting to second-guess them.
Divisional rivals struggling for form
Take another look at the Premier League table:
Right now, Everton, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs, who were all in the race for last year’s Champions League spots, are collectively struggling for consistency and form.
The Toffees for example, are just two points clear of the relegation zone, whilst Arsenal have only won twice from seven fixtures.
Of course, at this point in the season there’s still just a handful of points separating the vast majority of sides, with ten point gap between the relegation spots and Manchester City in second.
But the point remains that the stage is set for United to assert their dominance early-on whilst their divisional rivals are still finding their feet.
Whether the Red Devils can hold onto their current position of fourth however will largely depend on results in the coming weeks, as they take on Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal before the end of November.
ANGEL DI MARIA
It would be wrong and wholly inaccurate to describe Manchester United as a one-man team, but if there’s one player who’s currently head and shoulders above the rest, it’s summer signing Angel Di Maria.
Indeed, the Argentina international has been nothing short of incredible since United signed him for a record-breaking £59million, as shown below:
Whoscored.com have put him in their European Team of the Season thus far:
…in no small part due to some incredible goals, such as this one against Leicester City back in September:
Unquestionably the most in-form midfielder the Premier League currently has to offer, if the Red Devils can keep the 26 year-old firing for the majority of the season, they’ve got a fantastic chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
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Recent wins
Less than a month ago, following a 0-0 draw with Burnley and a 5-3 defeat to Leicester City, it looked like the Red Devils were in for another tough campaign.
But recent results, specifically wins against West Ham and Everton, have changed all that. Not only because they constituted Manchester United’s first consecutive victories under Louis van Gaal, but due to the impressive quality of the opposition.
Judging by the series of shrewd signings Sam Allardyce made this summer, including Alex Song, Enner Valencia, Ryan Cresswell, Diafra Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate to name a few, in combination with their positive start to the season, the Hammers look set for a top half finish this season. They’ve already recorded a 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Upton Park, the highlights of which are viewable below:
//www.youtube.com/embed/9UQOSyqe9oI?rel=0
Likewise, Everton have endured a poor start to the campaign, but they’re a strong outfit and based on their league standing over the last ten years, remain the essential litmus test for clubs looking to qualify for the Champions League. As shown in the highlights below, Manchester United impressed as they fought to a 2-1 victory over the Toffees.
//www.youtube.com/embed/q3nY44gPMUE?rel=0
In other words, West Ham and Everton are the calibre of side Manchester United should be beating if they’re to make it into the top four. As previously mentioned however, the real test comes between now and the end of November, as the Red Devils face Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.