Europe?

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The Mag

·16 May 2024

Europe?

We all love beating Manchester United don’t we. After all, who doesn’t.

So frustration will be high among our fanbase after last night’s failure to do the double over the red half of Manchester, when we had probably our best chance of doing so for many a year.

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That Manchester United side has to be the poorest I can remember and we’ve been saying that for many years. However, you don’t just rock up at Old Trafford and expect to get an easy ride.

I remarked in the build up to the game that just because they are a poor imitation of the old Manchester United, doesn’t mean we’re automatically going to get three points. And the fact that some had us down as favourites, made me very nervy and wary.

As it happens, our season has had self-destruct as a constant theme. Sides haven’t had to do a great deal to beat us when they have. Mistakes and poor decision making have been our downfall. That and the injuries.

We can go into all the whys and wherefores of why we haven’t picked up as many points as we “should” have, but it’ll always come down to bodies on the pitch, or in our case, the lack of.

Have we missed Nick Pope? Yes.

Would we have fared better at the back with last season’s version of Sven Botman? Yes.

Would we have more goals with Callum Wilson fit more often? Of course.

Would Sandro Tonali have brought more to the table in midfield? You bet.

Have we missed the physicality of Joelinton? Definitely.

For me, it’s the latter that has been missed most, but you’ll all have your preferred absentee that would have made the most difference. The fact that we’ve missed all of them for long periods has hamstrung this season almost beyond repair but there’s still a chance to salvage something from this campaign.

There’s still an outside chance of the Europa League but that’s unlikely, unless Eddie Howe’s former club can upset the odds at Stamford Bridge this weekend. However, beat Brentford and hope Manchester City don’t slip up in the FA Cup and we can have a good crack at the European Conference League next season. Is it the bright lights of the Champions League? No, of course not, but it’s vital in our development and in attracting players. A European competition is better than no European competition at all.

If this comes to pass then it will have been a great season under the circumstances and a chance to build again.

You may scoff and say that we’ve not been as good as last season and you’d be right. The table doesn’t lie. Although I would contest that when looking at where Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United are at present. They’ve all been poor for long periods this season and all could be in Europe next season.

If they do, it will be at our expense and we will only have ourselves to blame. However, if it is to end fruitless for us this season, losing at Old Trafford last night will NOT be what has caused it.

Whilst it’s very true that you don’t go to Manchester United, concede three and expect to pick up anything, I would also venture the following statement.

You don’t fail to beat Nottingham Forest, Luton, Bournemouth and Brighton at St James’ Park and expect to be finishing in European qualification. To take just three points from twelve on that set of fixtures is what has harmed our quest for another run at the Champions League and it could yet torpedo our hopes of any Europe at all.

On the positive side of things, there’s a starting point for improvement next season. Beat the relegation fodder at home first and foremost. Some say our away form hasn’t been great and it hasn’t, but the home form is what has cost us.

Beating your Manchester Uniteds, Chelseas and Arsenals home or away are nice and still contribute to where you finish at the end of the season, but to lose and draw against the sides we have done this season, is what has been our problem and downfall, even if we do manage to rescue the campaign and play on the continent next season.

Stats via BBC Sport:

Manchester United 3 Newcastle United 2 – Wednesday 15 May 8pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Gordon 49, Hall 90+2

Man U:

Mainoo 31, Amad 57, Hojlund 84

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Man U 45% Newcastle 55%

Total shots were Man U 17 Newcastle 21

Shots on target were Man U 8 Newcastle 8

Corners were Man U 9 Newcastle 9