Manchester United are in contention for a place in Europe after missing out on qualification under boss Ruben Amorim last season and the head coach has a lot to prove at Old Trafford
Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher are confident that Champions League qualification will be a step too far for Manchester United this term. The Red Devils went into their Boxing Day match against Newcastle sitting seventh in the Premier League table.
Ruben Amorim is under pressure to deliver more after the Red Devils finished 15th last term. The Portuguese coach does not have European competition to distract from domestic performances as they attempt to make their return to midweek football next season.
It is the first time United have been without Champions League or Europa League football in more than a decade, meaning there is an obvious target to aim for. Former Liverpool defender Carragher reckons they should be contention and are worth their current position.
Qualification for Europe’s premier competition will be a step too far in his view. Carragher said on Sky Sports‘ Friday Night Football: “I don’t think they’ll finish in the top four but they need to get into Europe.
“The bar has been set so low after last season. They spent a good chunk of change in the summer. They should be where they are in the table, qualifying for Europe. The Champions League would be a step too far. They were really good at Aston Villa.”
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Keane claims Amorim still has a lot to prove at United, with the club’s performances providing a number of question marks. “I’m not convinced,” said.
“He [Ruben Amorim] got a pre-season and signings, they have no Europe but they are still not showing it. We are still waiting. The question marks are still there for me, we talk about top four but they are not ready for that.”
The ex-United captain believes United still have some way to go. “Man Utd just need to be better,” he said.
“We are not going to compare them to the great defensive teams like Arsenal but they need to be better. I still feel that any time I watched Man Utd, as good as they are going forward, teams seem to creat chances so easily.
“If you want to make progress as a football club you have to be harder to beat. They need to improve or we will keep talking about the same problems. If they keep giving up chances and goals like they are, they will never make the next step.”
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