Has Manchester United thrown itself out of the top 4 this season?

Manchester United manager David Moyes and winger Ryan Giggs.

Has Manchester United thrown itself out of the top 4 this season?

Now that’s a million dollar question which most of the Red Devils’ fans won’t even remotely agree to think of. But thanks to some extreme activity in the transfer window by the English clubs, barring Manchester United, one can actually fathom the reality of this particular question. This season, there are almost 6 teams in English top flight capable of challenging for those four valuable finishing spots. 3 teams from London and 3 teams from Manchester. Yes, I’ve counted Liverpool in. The very thought of Man United failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League is an absolute rarity, as they have failed to qualify only twice since the competition was reinstated with its new name, twenty one years ago.

Let’s put all the cards on the table and take it from there. It might be too early in the season to come to conclusions but we can’t rule out the possibility of such a thing happening. Man United fans themselves know that their title chances have taken a huge dent after a dismal showing in the transfer window. While a non-top 4 finish might be a bit exaggerated, Arsenal’s capture of Ozil on deadline day turns the tables in favour of the ‘title of this article’. Which obviously means that Manchester United might have to battle it out with Liverpool and Spurs for that crucial fourth spot. Here is why all this has a good chance of happening.

Undoubtedly, the clubs that finished second and third last season have made significant strides in the summer to strengthen their squads. The Premier League has acquired a new, all-round manager in Pellegrini at City and also welcomed back one of its most loved and vastly successful Jose Mourinho, at Chelsea for a second term. Both these managers have set their prime objective to dethrone the 20-time champions and claim the English crown.

Newly-signed Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o.

Chelsea, from last season has become stronger in terms of squad depth in midfield. With a solid foundation in defense already set, Mourinho only had to make the decision of not sending Tomas Kalas on loan again. The midfield now looks strong with the return of Michael Essien and the arrival of Dutch youngster Van Ginkel, but the lack of that world-class element in the middle of the pitch still eludes the Blues fans. Much was talked about the transfer of Willian from Anzhi, but it might turn out to be the most crucial one as the season rolls by. Willian has similar traits as Hazard and could fill in as part of rotation or when the Belgian is absent. Andre Schurrle is another player who offers direct play, throw into it another Belgian in Kevin de Bruyne and Mourinho has a plethora of attacking midfielders to choose from. Samuel Eto’o was the alternative after the Rooney pursuit turned rot. The Cameroon international is just what Chelsea need at the moment, providing experience and competition in the striking department. The Super Cup match against Bayern Munich would have sent a clear signal to all the English teams of what a Mourinho’s team is capable of in terms of spirit and attitude.

Manchester City might have had a subdued start to the season, but that can be expected from a team with a new manager and four talented new signings. Pellegrini didn’t waste any time in identifying the problems Man City had last season. With four world-class strikers at his disposal now, the ex-Malaga manager has many things running to his tune. The only problem that the blue side of Manchester face is in defense. Key players in Micah Richards and Vincent Kompany are injured which forced the manager to sign Martin Demichelis from Atletico Madrid. The Argentine defender too became a victim of injury leaving Lescott and Nastasic as the only central defenders fit. On the bright side, there is now enough squad depth for Pellegrini to make long strides in Europe. Man City had the strongest team on paper last season, and Mancini can be held solely responsible for an unsuccessful defense of the title. Man City will see Chelsea as their major rivals this season, with Arsenal providing reasonable amount of competition.