Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel hopes that Manchester United's elimination from the Champions League will spur the players on to qualify for next year's edition of the competition.
United crashed out of Europe on Tuesday as they were defeated 1-0 by Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford through Renan Lodi's first-half header. The goal put the reigning Spanish champions 2-1 up on aggregate to which United had no response and they only grew frustrated as Atleti masterfully held on for the win.
The defeat means United will go five years without lifting a trophy and the only room for even the smallest bit of success for Ralf Rangnick is finishing in the top four. That's no easy task, however, as they sit behind Arsenal in the race who are in a great run of form and have three games in hand on United.
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Considering the way United are playing, it will take a big turnaround for them to make the top four. But goalkeeping legend Schmeichel believes the Champions League elimination could inspire them to restore a bit of their pride by doing so. “I’m a little bit hopeful that we can do it,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I think when I look at the quality of the players we have, some of the players, the history they have and what they’ve achieved before, it’s a big, big chink in their pride to be knocked out of Europe now and with only the Premier League to play for now, I’m really, really hoping that that will do something for the players.
“It is possible to win all your games. There is not a lot of room for mistakes, but it’s possible. It’s going to be something that goes to the wire, I’m absolutely sure about that, the same as who’s going to win the title and who’s going to stay in the Premier League.
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“There are nine games to play still. Liverpool play Arsenal today in London; it’s not very often it happens but I want Liverpool to win that game. I think Arsenal have done really well but there are little signs of vulnerability there as well.
"It’s one thing to have played the games, it’s another thing to have games in hand. You still have to play those games and win those games, but they are in a good position.”
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