Richard Jolly: Fallen giants Manchester United now just another mid-table team
Erik ten Hag inherited a sixth-placed team in a shambles and has done little to improve them
Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana fouls Zeki Amdouni of Burnley to concede a penalty
The last rites were administered by Aston Villa. Perhaps it was fitting that, just as Manchester United did five hours earlier on Saturday, Unai Emery’s side did it while losing a lead. But their draw against Chelsea made the obvious a mathematical certainty. United cannot finish in the top four.
And, barring a remarkable shift in UEFA coefficients between the Premier League and the Bundesliga, Champions League qualification is gone. United’s bid for it arguably did not die a death. It may be truer to say it never started: Erik ten Hag’s tactical plan for the season looked destroyed by Wolves in their opening game. Since then, United have never been in the top four.
