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Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick refused to rule his side out of the Premier League title race ahead of the trip to Newcastle
Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick raised eyebrows this week when asked about the title race. United have not lost since Carrick returned to Old Trafford, with a draw at West Ham the only blemish on an otherwise spotless record. The victory left the Reds 13 points behind leaders Arsenal, albeit they have a game in hand.
Despite the Premier League title looking out of reach, Carrick insisted he was not giving up on top spot. "Listen, you can't rule anything out in football, but we've got to be realistic and know where it's at," he explained.
"I think we've just got to try and keep winning games and see. Above us now there are two fantastic teams. There are some really good teams in and around us. We've had a good run, we're certainly not getting carried away. You've got to be patient but you've got to be living in the moment a little bit, certainly, take the confidence.
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"Wherever that's going to take us, we'll just have to see. But we'll keep pushing anyway." Considering the start to the season, United fans would be happy with Champions League qualification but Carrick's ambition will please supporters.
With this in mind, MEN Sport has looked at where United are predicted to finish this season, according to Opta. Despite currently sitting third in the Premier League, Opta expects the Reds to finish fourth behind Aston Villa. Carrick's side leapfrogged Villa on goal difference last weekend after they lost at Wolverhampton Wanderers and United beat Crystal Palace.
United are expected to achieve 66 points and finish just one point worse off than Unai Emery's side. To achieve that tally from their last ten games, the Reds would be expected to average 1.5 points per match.
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While they are predicted to end the season just behind Villa, United are expected to finish three points above Liverpool and six ahead of seventh place Chelsea. As for the title race, the Reds have been given just a 0.02 per cent chance of winning the Premier League.
Arsenal remain favourites to lift the title, with a predicted tally of 83 points, five ahead of runners-up Manchester City and 17 points above the Reds. But a win tonight at Newcastle, coupled with Arsenal dropping points at Brighton could give Carrick and United further grounds for optimism.
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