Why Manchester vs Arsenal EPL match is more critical than UCL clash against PSG

Manchester United are facing the hardest time of their season from injuries to big matches that stand their way as they fight their way to the top four in a bid to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

The big games keep on coming for Manchester United. First Paris Saint-Germain on a midweek night clash in a UEFA title rush, then Arsenal at the Emirates over the weekend in the Premier League.

It’s that time of the season when every game seems to have a wider narrative. United are seeking a miracle in Paris in the Champions League, but they face arguably an even bigger game in London at the weekend.

If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can mastermind progress in the Champions League, overturning a 2-0 first leg deficit in the Parc des Princes with 11 first team players either injured or suspended, it would be one of the more remarkable results in United’s recent history. It would be impossible to look beyond Solskjaer in the summer if he pulls off this heist.

But for United’s longer-term future, and maybe even for Solskjaer’s own chances of taking the job on permanently, securing a top four finish has to be the club’s chief target between now and the end of May.

A Champions League run would be memorable, especially if it includes such a famous night in France, but United want fixtures of this standing every season.

Securing a return to the Champions League next term looked unlikely when Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho, but a dozen Premier League games without defeat have propelled them right back into the race for a top four spot. It’s a fiercely contested battle, however.

Five points separate Tottenham in third and Chelsea in sixth. If Chelsea win their game in hand – at home to Brighton – they will move into fourth and it would be four points between Spurs and Arsenal, who would then take sixth.

Two of Tottenham, United, Arsenal and Chelsea will miss out on Champions League qualification and the fact that there is so little to choose between all four teams in the table makes meetings between them significant. Beat Arsenal at the Emirates and United have a four point advantage. Lose and they could be sixth come the end of the weekend.

Champions League qualification should be a given for a club such as United, but that’s not been the case this season. Given the improvement under Solskjaer they should be embedded into the top four by this stage of next season, but for now making sure they remain there is vital than a step in the Champions League.

If they can qualify for the Champions League again this season it gives them a platform to rebuild in the summer, to be on the front foot while strengthening the squad. Then facing Europe’s biggest teams come spring time will be a regular occurrence again for United.

Nobody is suggesting they down tools and accept defeat in Paris, but if the evening begins to go against them Solskjaer should turn his attentions to Arsenal on Sunday instead and making sure there will be Champions League football at Old Trafford in 2019/20.

The Norwegian has already guided United to one win at the Emirates in his time in charge – a 3-1 success in the FA Cup fourth round – and if he can repeat that trick on Sunday his side will be well on track to secure Champions League football again next season.

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