Late De Ligt Header Salvages Point for United
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has boldly predicted that Manchester United will finish in the Premier League's top four this season, following their dramatic 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils extended their unbeaten league run to five matches after Matthijs de Ligt's 96th-minute equaliser secured a valuable point away from home.
Thrilling Encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The match on November 8, 2025, saw United take the lead through Bryan Mbeumo's first-half strike, but they appeared destined for defeat after late goals from Tottenham's Matthys Tel and Richarlison turned the game on its head. However, Ruben Amorim's side displayed remarkable resilience when De Ligt powered home a header from a corner in the sixth minute of added time.
This hard-fought draw moves United level on points with Liverpool, who currently occupy fourth position and face Manchester City this Sunday. Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Hargreaves emphasised the significance of United's late comeback: "Last season they would have lost this game and, to be fair, it was a game they probably should have won. They had comfortable control of it and they probably just dropped a little too deep."
European Absence Provides Key Advantage
Hargreaves identified United's lack of European football as a crucial factor in their top-four pursuit. "They have a huge advantage," he stated. "There's only one game a week, pretty much. You think about all the other teams, Spurs and Chelsea, everybody has European football. Amorim has got time on the training pitch and he's a great coach, we know that from his time at Sporting."
The former England international also pointed to United's favourable upcoming fixture list as reason for optimism: "If you look at the fixtures coming up – Everton, Palace, West Ham, Wolves – after those, they'll be second, I think and they'll be in a position where they can strike. If you look at that with no European football, Man Utd will finish in the top four."
Squad Depth to Mitigate AFCON Absences
While acknowledging potential challenges ahead, including the departure of Bryan Mbeumo and Amad to the African Cup of Nations next month, Hargreaves believes United's squad depth should help navigate these obstacles. "That's going to be tricky but again hopefully without so many games, they can keep the squad healthy and he can rotate players in," he added.
Hargreaves concluded with a positive assessment of United's current situation: "Last season was tricky trying to navigate all the fixtures, but if you look at who they are going to play in the next five, six games, and the way they've been playing – unbeaten in five – and the squad that they have, it's settled. I think not having European football is a miss for the club but actually it could help them get back into that top four."
