Glowing United face a test from rivals Liverpool, desperate for stability

The London club host Bournemouth on Saturday as a strong candidate to overcome the barrier, while City open the stage against Newcastle at noon on the same day, looking to put the disappointment of losing the League Cup final behind them.

As for fourth Tottenham, he wants to bounce back from the “Championship” league’s shocking FA Cup final exit against Sheffield United and refocus on the fight for the European Champions League qualification spots. Competition from Newcastle and Liverpool.

First mistake at Anfield since 2016?

Liverpool won 9-0 in both league matches against United last season. But the trajectory of both clubs has changed dramatically in the past 12 months.

Manchester United are still on course for a quadruple this season after ending a six-year drought by winning the League Cup at Newcastle last Sunday and losing just one of their last 22 matches in all competitions.

But with Arsenal leading by 11 points (noting that they have played more than United), any result other than a first win of 2016 at Anfield on Sunday will end the “Red Devils'” hopes of challenging for the league title.

United are still at the top of the Europa League after ousting Barcelona, ​​competing in the “Europa League” and on Thursday they will host another Spanish team, Real Betis, at Old Trafford in the first leg of the final.

As for Liverpool, who lost their first leg in the league this season against United at Old Trafford, they need every point to stay in the race for fourth place.

German coach Jurgen Klopp’s side are back in contention after a disastrous start to the year with three wins and a draw in their last four league games.

But during this series, he suffered a humiliating 2-5 home defeat against Spanish side Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League final, which exposed all his defensive shortcomings.

“I think Manchester United are the best team at the moment, maybe along with Arsenal and City,” Klopp said after beating Wolverhampton in midweek in a match postponed from the seventh round.

“We have to build on this efficiency and result, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Arsenal will continue

Arsenal’s bid to win the league title for the first time in 19 years ended last month in a 3-1 defeat at City when they picked up just one point from three matches.

However, Spain coach Mikel Arteta’s side responded strongly, winning three in a row to move five points clear of their opponents.

“When you see them (the players) every day, you just feel their great desire, they really try to do what we ask of them and they want to please our fans,” Arteta said after the 4-0 win over Everton. Mid-week in a match postponed from the seventh stage.

“I have no doubt that we will turn things around in terms of performance and results,” he added.

That’s what he expects from his players against last-placed Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium.

As for City, Newcastle V, who have not tasted victory in their last four league games, will face a tougher test on paper if they must achieve a win in 2023 and climb out of the top four. Away from Tottenham IV, but he played two fewer matches.

Back to the Spurs

A big week for Tottenham started in the worst possible way as they fell from nil-1 to second-tier hosts Sheffield United, so it looked as if their quest for a first title since 2008 would continue.

Saturday travel to Wolverhampton on a cautious trip, looking to move further away from the relegation zone.

After that, Milan host Italy on Wednesday to make up for its 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the Champions League final.

“Now, the FA Cup is behind us. We have other opportunities, other matches and other matches,” said Italian Christian Stellini, assistant coach to his compatriot Antonio Conte, who is recovering from gall bladder surgery.

“This is football. You have to constantly rediscover the same desire.”

As for Chelsea, who are in misery without a win in their last five league games, a 0-2 defeat at London rivals Tottenham last time out has seen them slip to tenth place, which they are looking for when they take on Leeds. United on Saturday.

In turn, he faces the task of overturning his 1-0 deficit against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, which gets him to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.