Chelsea news as Gary Neville explains what Manchester United should be concentrating on after the Blues put pressure on their rivals in the top six. Chelsea learns a new Europa League advantage over Man United as end-of-season decisions are explained.
Chelsea can still qualify for the Europa League this season (Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
As Chelsea made sure that three teams would be competing for the top six going into the final weeks of the season, Gary Neville has urged Manchester United to throw all of their eggs into the FA Cup. It’s all to play for with Newcastle holding the final Europa League spot right now.
Eddie Howe’s team moved to just four points behind Tottenham after a thrilling first half against Burnley on Saturday, making it four wins from their last five games. In order to move up to sixth place and pass Chelsea and Newcastle, United will play Crystal Palace on Monday. Erik ten Hag will have the opportunity to respond.
With two weeks remaining in the season, it might reduce the gap between the teams to just two points. It’s an opportunity that Chelsea and Newcastle, who have both underperformed for the most part of the season, may not have anticipated when the season began.
For United, that is a significant concern. Despite lackluster performances and outcomes, Ten Hag’s team has finished outside the top five the entire season. However, they are no longer even considered a threat to qualify for the Champions League and now have to fight just to get into the Europa League.
It looks like England’s eighth place finish will not be sufficient to get them into Europe after they were unable to secure an additional Champions League spot. Only if United wins the FA Cup and finishes outside the top six will seventh place earn them a spot in the Europa League.
Next week, Newcastle and Manchester United will also play each other. Chelsea visits Brighton and Nottingham Forest before wrapping up their schedule with a trip to Bournemouth in SW6.
READ MORE: The explanation of Chelsea’s path to the Europa League based on the results of Manchester United and Newcastle
READ MORE: Chelsea’s three remaining Premier League games in comparison to Man United and Newcastle following West Ham
However, Neville thinks United should look above the league table. He stated, “Chelsea have just improved over the last few weeks,” on the Sky Sports and Gary Neville podcast. “I was just checking the notifications on my phone at halftime when I saw that Harry Maguire had been hurt during practice. Manchester United couldn’t afford an injury at that one position.
“He is the only center-back or defender who is suitable. For United, that would present a serious issue. Generally speaking, United’s season is heavily reliant on the FA Cup. This season, their league performance has been incredibly patchy.
“Yes, they want to try and finish as well as they can and win tomorrow night [Monday] against Crystal Palace and give a great account of themselves at home to Arsenal, but getting as many players as possible in the next couple of weeks so they’re as ready as they can be to try and do something on the May 25 in that cup final is their absolute priority.”
This may offer Chelsea a genuine opportunity to move up the table. It is now possible for Mauricio Pochettino’s team to make it to the FA Cup semi-final, Carabao Cup final, and Europe.
Securing a spot in Europe is anticipated to be crucial when his performance is scrutinized, as his position will be evaluated at the conclusion of the season. Chelsea stands to benefit if United fails to utilize the league table.
