Man Utd's last 10 results compared to top-four rivals amid "sleepwalking" accusation
Football
By
Mirror
| Mar 04, 2021
Manchester United were accused of "sleepwalking" into a top four battle by Gary Neville after they dropped more points in the goalless draw at Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils put in an uninspiring performance as they dropped points for the fourth time in five games.
Their recent drop off in form has given the chasing pack a chance and has cast some doubt over United's top four place.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are still in pole position to secure Champions League football next season, but ever since they topped the pile in early January United have experienced a steep decline.
Manchester City's relentless form means the title is effectively over, but the race for the top four is hotting up.
READ MORE
Doctors set 90-day ultimatum for pay talks, warn of strike
Kenya, Italy adopt four-year cooperation plan after Ruto-Meloni talks
Aston Villa, who sit in ninth, will maintain hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League which underlines the competitiveness in the top half.
United have picked up 15 points form their last 10 games - half the available amount - as we take a look at how their form compares to their rivals.
2nd Man Utd - Form: DWLDWDDWDD - Points: 15/30
The win over Fulham on January 20 that sent United top seems a long time ago.
Defeat a week later at the hands of lowly Sheffield United again showcased their deficiencies following an impressive winning run.
And since that shock reverse they have only recorded home wins against Southampton and Newcastle.
Three underwhelming goalless draws - all in the capital - have highlighted a bluntness in United's attack.
Even when they were winning they were not necessarily impressing, more a case of producing devastating 20 minute spells, and that appears to be catching up with them.
3rd Leicester - Form: WWDLWDWWLD - Points: 18/30
The question everyone will ask is have the Foxes learnt from last season's poor finish.
Timely wins over Chelsea and Liverpool have shown that they can mix it in this company.
But defeats at home to Leeds and Arsenal do show that chinks still certainly exist in the armour.
Brendan Rodgers will be nervously looking over his shoulder having fallen narrowly short last season.
4th West Ham - Form: WWWWLWDWWL - Points: 22/30
This season's surprise package were by no means disgraced at City in defeat last weekend.
In fact, their 22 point haul is second only to the league leaders over the past 10 games.
The Hammers have beaten fellow European hopefuls Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham in recent weeks.
Defeat against Liverpool will have come as a disappointment, especially given how vulnerable the Reds were, but David Moyes' side appear to have a determination about them that could prove crucial.
5th Chelsea - Form: LWLDWWWWDD - Points: 18/30
The Blues have certainly benefitted from the new manager bounce following Thomas Tuchel's arrival.
He has won four of his seven games - drawing the other three - and has Chelsea near the top of the form table.
Liverpool and Everton are next up for the west Londoners in a potentially defining four-day spell.
Frank Lampard won just two of his final eight games before being sacked - a run that could be costly come May.
6th Liverpool - Form: LDLWWLLLLW - Points: 10/30
Records have continued to tumble at Anfield recently but not the type Jurgen Klopp would like.
Liverpool haven't won in their last six home games and have failed to score from open play in their last five.
Burnley, Brighton, Man City and Everton have all won at Anfield since the turn of the year.
It has left their title defence in tatters and they now need a strong end to the season to ensure Champions League football.
Their recent set of results means they sit 17th in the form table.
7th Everton - Form: LWDLWDLLWW - Points: 14/30
The Toffees invested in the summer and are hoping they can enjoy their best season in years.
A win at Anfield proved they are able to rise to the big occasion, but they are needlessly dropping points which threatens to dent their ambitions.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have won as many as they've lost over the past 10 games.
Home defeats to Newcastle and Fulham were not in the script, but they retain a crucial game in hand that can lift them into the top four.
8th Tottenham - Form: WDWLLLWLLW - Points: 13/30
Title contenders back at Christmas, now Jose Mourinho's Tottenham are many peoples outsiders for the top four.
A recent run of five losses in six was anything but timely.
It was the teams they lost to that really proved damaging however - Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City and West Ham all claiming three points.
Mourinho will need to arrest the slide if he wants to deliver the Champions League finish that will have been this season's minimum requirement.
9th Aston Villa - Form: LWLWLWDLWL - Points: 13/30
Dean Smith's team avoided relegation on the final day last season, now they have their sights set on Europe.
Defeat at the hands of Sheffield United has definitely dented their ambitions with inconsistency hindering them recently.
They've been unable to record successive wins since December.
Villa have also lost crucial games against West Ham and Leicester over the past few months.