United View: Reds close in on UCL spot

Things couldn’t have gone much better for Manchester United at the weekend. 

A 3-1 win over direct rivals Aston Villa at Old Trafford, along with Chelsea and Liverpool also dropping points, leaves the Reds with breathing room in third place. 

With eight games to go, it’s looking increasingly likely that Michael Carrick’s side can finish in a Champions League position.

In the previous fixture between United and Villa, Unai Emery’s side were sitting comfortably in third, ten points clear of the Reds in 7th place. 

Since then, United have clawed their way back, moving ahead of Villa, thanks to several notable performances on the day.

We can’t talk about this game without mentioning Bruno Fernandes. 

United’s captain was instrumental in this victory, setting up Casemiro for the first before producing a world-class pass for Matheus Cunha as Villa looked to work their way back into the game.

Those two assists see Fernandes move up to 16 assists in the Premier League this season, overtaking David Beckham’s record and moving within four of the league’s record, shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Fernandes is truly a different class in terms of contributions to this side, aided by having a much higher standard of forwards in front of him this season. 

He should be a serious contender for player of the season. United must reconsider their laissez-faire approach to whether he should stay at Old Trafford next season.

Leny Yoro also deserves a shoutout for his display, helping to defend the channel with his superior pace, stifling Ollie Watkins and starting to regain his confidence after a tough couple of months.

It’s important to remember he’s only 20 years old playing centre back, a position that sees players improve with age. 

He’s got plenty to improve on, but he’s one for the future and hopefully can finish the season strong, especially with Lisandro Martinez currently out of action.

Considering how low it’s been at times this season, with no notable cup runs and the absence of European football, if United can finish in a Champions League position, then this can be seen as a successful campaign.

Carrick’s arrival has significantly improved things, winning seven of his opening nine games, finding a way to get results in big games. 

And United seem to be benefiting from only having one competition to focus on compared to those around them.

United will likely wait until the end of the season before coming to a decision, but if Carrick can continue this vein of form in the remaining eight games, he’ll be a strong candidate for the full-time position.

They next face Bournemouth on Friday night. 

United are unbeaten in their previous three visits to the Vitality Stadium, and the Cherries have struggled as of late, with only one win in their previous six games, although their only league loss of 2026 came against Arsenal.

Perhaps Andoni Iraola’s men will be motivated after seeing their co-owner, Michael B. Jordan, win the Oscar for Best Actor in the film ‘Sinners’, becoming the first Premier League owner to win an Oscar.

Personally, I think Timothee Chalamet’s performance in ‘Marty Supreme’ was more deserving, and hopefully, Michael Carrick’s side shares those sentiments as they look to pick up three points that will edge them even closer to Champions League football.