Man Utd UCL verdict after impressive win ramps up pressure on Aston Villa

They've won their last three games, they've got a forward bang in form and their rivals immediately above them are stuttering. Could Manchester United qualify for the Champions League?

That is the question the club's fans are asking now following Sunday's 2-1 win at Aston Villa, and with fifth place potentially enough for a spot at European football's revamped top table next season, Erik ten Hag's side are suddenly right in the mix.

Villa are still five points above them, but with 14 games of the season left, and other clubs above them in sight too, then it is no wonder than optimism is suddenly rising around Old Trafford. We asked our team what they make of it all.

Unbeaten in 2024, with five wins in six games, Manchester United are starting to look like a winning machine again.

That’s not to say they have become trophy challengers again. They clearly now have the jump on faltering Aston Villa in terms of form, but there is one underlying issue that means Spurs, or Villa, will pip them to fourth place.

Despite an upturn this year, United’s Premier League ’s goalscoring record is so poor, and not one that guarantees a long range tilt at top four. Just 33 goals. Everyone else in the top seven is in the 50s.

Maybe Rasmus Hojlund is finding his touch, and while they have Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford too, all are stuck on five goals in the league. You don't finish top four with Scott McTominay as your top marksman. He's currently on just seven goals.

Two lucky wins, in which they had to survive 45 goal attempts, doesn't make Manchester United Champions League material. They were flattered by a 3-0 win against West Ham, and pinned back in their own half for long periods at Aston Villa on Sunday, so spare us the propaganda