It’s been a rough downturn since the Sir Alex Ferguson days at Old Trafford, going from competing for the EPL title to hoping to stay in any European competition at all.
Manchester United currently sit fifth on 53 points. It’s a team that is just one point off its cross-town rival Manchester City for the final place in the UEFA Champions League and two points clear of West Ham for the first Europa League spot. It’s yet to be determined how the other Europa spots will be given.
All of that is happening despite everyone and anyone knowing that Louis Van Gaal is not long for his job and Jose Mourinho is already casting his shadow over the club as the manager-in-waiting. Sure, nothing is official and Mourinho has been offered the Syrian national team manager role, but all signs clearly point to this move being made.
Even in the face of all the drama in the leadership of the management of the club, somehow this team of young players, a few grizzled veterans and plenty of injured stars on the bench is doing something very important for its future — winning.
Since Boxing Day, the Red Devils have dropped just two of 14 matches in league play and have racked up 30 of a possible 42 points over that same time frame. As of late it has been wins in seven of the last eight matches.
Yes, there are way too many close results. In fact, outside of a pair of wins over Stoke City every match has been a draw or within a goal since Boxing Day. That’s 12 matches drawn or resulting in a one-goal win or loss.
Certainly that’s not pretty by historical Manchester United standards. However, it is also the reality of this season and this squad.
Playing eye-please soccer while dealing with a rotating roster on a weekly basis is asking for a whole lot. So is asking a team leaning on plenty of youth to provide big scorelines on a weekly basis.
That’s to say nothing of the fact that the EPL from top to bottom is tougher than it has ever been before. Winning, and not just getting points should be applauded no matter how it gets done.
What should ultimately be important to the near and long-term future of the club is seeing this group buoy itself in the face of enormous pressure and get positive results.
With Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace coming up next on the docket, Manchester United have a big opportunity to really put pressure on the clubs in front of them for the final month of the season.
Given where this season started and all that has happened on and off the field, winning and sustained winning should be the only thing that really matters. Style can come later, especially if it means clawing back to a Champions League place once again.
