The battle for fourth place in the Premier League this season is fierce, and the final outcome is confusing, with multiple teams having the opportunity to enter the top four and participate in next season's Champions League. However, the plot of the vigorous "Let the Four Wars" three years ago seems to have been repeated recently. Especially this week, several teams that had a chance to finish fourth did not win. That left Manchester United with a chance, but Wolves quietly caught up and could become another rival.
United were forced to draw by Southampton on Saturday morning and failed to secure a fourth-place finish in the league. But two rivals, Tottenham and West Ham, who played on Sunday, were also unable to win. Conte's Tottenham Hotspur lost 2-0 to Wolves, suffering two consecutive defeats and slipping to 8th place, while West Ham was forced to draw 2-2 by Leicester City and failed to shake off Manchester United, currently leading by only one point and ranking fourth.
In the Premier League table, from fourth-placed West Ham to eighth-placed Tottenham, there is only a five-point gap. Among them, although West Ham is leading in points, with 41 points, it also has the most games, and has played 25 rounds. This means that If United beat Brighton in Tuesday's make-up match, they will take the fourth place by two points in the same round.
However, the three opponents behind United, all with fewer rounds, theoretically have the possibility of equalizing or even overtaking the Red Devils. Among them, Arsenal, who are temporarily in sixth place, have only played 22 rounds and have 39 points, and if the Gunners can win these games, they can at least lead Manchester United by five points, and have a goal difference advantage. Although Spurs have lost consecutively recently, they have played the same number of games as Arsenal and still have the opportunity to surpass Manchester United.
Not only that, but Wolves, who beat Tottenham on Sunday, not only temporarily surpassed their opponents, but are also likely to catch up with Manchester United in terms of points. The team scored 27 points in 23 rounds and scored four goals difference very close to the Red Devils (6 goals).
United must get back on the winning track in Tuesday's post-match, beating Brighton at home to finish fourth first and putting pressure on their opponents behind them, because while Arsenal, Tottenham and Wolves all have the advantage of less games, these games may not be won, and the points that have arrived are the real lead.
February is United's best chance to fight for points, with the remaining three opponents being Brighton, Leeds United and Watford. After entering March, the Red Devils will continue to fight fiercely, facing Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, and in April, the team will also have to face leicester City, Everton and Arsenal.
Interim coach Ronnick also told players to be mentally strong and avoid losing points under the lead. United have conceded nine points in their last six games, which Ronnick believes is due to physical and willful problems. "The players we have are all technical players who like to play technical football. But in the Premier League, especially against an opponent like Southampton, you can't just rely on technique, you have to show physical fitness and willpower. Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the club, this has been a concern. That was one of the reasons that led him out of class, and this kind of game result would not help the team's situation in any way. Against Villa, Burnley and Southampton, we were 1-0 or even 2-0 ahead and conceded two points. We have to face the reality that such a result will make it difficult for you to compete for four."