Can MU compete for the championship?

The 12-point gap with Arsenal is theoretically surmountable if MU continues to play this well until the end of the season.

Manchester United won against Arsenal away from home in the Premier League for the first time in nine years.

Following their thrilling 3-2 victory at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Manchester United fans began dreaming of an improbable scenario: Could the "Red Devils" actually challenge for the Premier League title this season?

The age-old problem

From a team mired in crisis under Ruben Amorim, Manchester United has completely transformed since Michael Carrick took over. Two consecutive victories against the two strongest contenders, Manchester City and Arsenal, not only helped them climb to fourth place but also directly narrowed the gap with the leading group.

Currently, MU are 8 points behind Aston Villa and Man City, and 12 points behind league leaders Arsenal. Theoretically, they still have a chance to compete for the title. However, there's always a gap between excitement and reality that needs careful analysis. MU's main challenge lies with the smaller teams in the upcoming period.

To truly become a title contender, Carrick and his players need more than just wins in derbies or big matches. The challenge lies in maintaining consistency against smaller teams, where MU has frequently dropped points in recent years.

Premier League history shows that the championship isn't just decided in six-point matches against direct rivals, but also in the ability to maintain consistent form throughout all 38 rounds. In February, MU will face Fulham, Tottenham, Everton, and West Ham, all opponents in the lower half of the table. This will be a crucial period for MU if they want to keep their title dreams alive.

Carrick and his players need to prove that they can impose their game against teams that play defensively, rather than relying solely on sharp counter-attacks like in the last two matches.

With Carrick, MU has the right to dream big.

Reasons to be confident

It wasn't just luck; what Carrick brought to MU was identity and confidence. Watching Patrick Dorgu, a player once considered a "disaster" under his predecessor Amorim, unleash a thunderous volley against Arsenal, one could see a restored winning mentality.

Carrick didn't try to impose alien philosophies; he brought the players back to core values: speed, pragmatism, and composure in big matches. The placement of young players like Dorgu and Kobbie Mainoo alongside experienced veterans like Bruno Fernandes created a balanced team structure.

Furthermore, Carrick also benefits from the fact that MU are not playing in any competition other than the Premier League, after being eliminated from the FA Cup earlier this month. Rotating the squad during a busy schedule and managing injury risks are not issues for the 44-year-old manager at this time.

If Manchester United can maintain the "never give up" spirit they showed in the win against Arsenal, they could become a formidable opponent. Obviously, the most realistic goal right now is to secure a place in the Top 4 to return to the Champions League.

However, the dream of winning the championship is still there, if they have a spectacular February and rivals like Arsenal or Man City run out of steam due to their busy schedules.

In a turbulent period like this in the Premier League, with Arsenal and Man City no longer maintaining their devastating form, it's no longer unreasonable for the "Red Devils" to be in the title race.

Highlights Arsenal 2-3 Manchester United: In the early hours of January 26th, MU continued to surprise by defeating Arsenal 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium in the 23rd round of the Premier League.

Source: https://znews.vn/mu-lieu-co-the-dua-vo-dich-post1622811.html