Swansea defeat would statistically end Man United’s top-four hopes

It’s amazing to think that this Manchester United side won their first three Premier League games under Jose Mourinho with relative ease. Just seven matches later, the Red Devils are on the brink of all-but ruling themselves out of the race for a Champions League spot. 

And that won’t be what the Special One will have wanted from his first season at Old Trafford. Far from it, in fact. Bringing in the likes of Eric Bailly, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the summer suggested there was just one thing on Mourinho’s mind, and that was the title.

But a horrendous run which has seen United pick up just three points from a possible 12 in October sees Ibra and co sitting rather uncomfortably in eighth-place.

And the history books show that no side in the division on 15 points after 11 games has ever qualified for the Champions League. Defeat against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium would see them in that position.

Such a result would also make this United’s worst ever start to a Premier League campaign. If that happens, expect the odds to be slashed on Mourinho being the next top-flight manager to leave his post.

And in the Swans, Mourinho’s men are up against a side who’ve beaten them on four of the last six occasions, meaning there could certainly be some value in the 4/1 for Bob Bradley’s side to grab their first win since the opening day of the season.

As things stand, the Red Devils are just as close to the relegation zone as they are to the top of the table, and United legend Paul Scholes last night claimed it could take as long as 18 months before we see the United of old – but will the Special One still be in charge by then?

What do you think is going wrong at Old Trafford? And how long will it be before the fans turn on their boss? Have your say in the comment section below!

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing