A three-match losing streak has thrust Manchester United into a battle for a Champions League place and the side will aim to halt their decline.
|||London – A three-match losing streak has thrust Manchester United into a battle for a Champions League place and the side will aim to halt their decline at Crystal Palace.
United sat third in the Premier League after beating rivals Manchester City last month, nine points clear in the race for a top-four finish.
However, three straight defeats have dropped them to fourth just four points ahead of Liverpool with three games left.
Now United visit Palace with Juan Mata saying the game must be won.
“We are forced to win as soon as possible: our rivals ahead keep adding points, and also the teams behind are getting closer,” the
midfielder wrote on the club’s website.
“We must focus on being effective because we haven’t scored in the last few games and we can’t afford it any longer.
“There are three finals remaining and I hope we can change this streak as soon as possible.”
United’s losing run is their longest in the league since 2012. They’ve also failed to score in three straight games for the first
time in eight years.
United had 80 per cent possession and 26 shots, including a Robin van Persie penalty that was saved by Boaz Myhill, against West Brom last week but still lost 1-0.
“As players and staff, there’s no doubt we can qualify for the Champions League and that was always what we wanted to do,” Ashley Young said after the game. “
”It’s still in our hands and we have three massive games coming up.
“We have another tough game away to Palace next weekend and we want to get back to winning ways.”
Liverpool also face a stern test when they visit newly crowned champions Chelsea.
The Reds have won just two of six, but still find themselves in the hunt thanks to United’s slips.
“It’s not over yet,” Liverpool’s Adam Lallana said. “We can still finish in the top four but we need to take maximum points now.
“We have to put pressure on United by going to Stamford Bridge and getting three points. Pressure is a tough thing to deal with.”
The race to avoid relegation has also turned into a fight.
While Burnley and Queens Park Rangers will likely drop, four teams are within two points of Sunderland in the final relegation place.
Hull and Leicester are both a point ahead of Sunderland and one below Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Hull host Burnley, while Leicester to look to make it six wins in seven against Southampton.
“The Burnley game is not going to keep us up or send us down because there are still two games after that,” Hull manager Steve Bruce said after their 3-1 loss to Arsenal.
“We still have it all to do and it is a big game, we are aware of that. A result will be good.”
Newcastle, in the survival battle after eight straight losses, host West Brom and Aston Villa play West Ham.
Back at the top of the table, Manchester City and Arsenal are level on points as they look to be runner-up to Chelsea.
City host QPR, a day before Arsenal are home to Swansea.
Tottenham visit Stoke in the weekend’s final fixture. – DPA-ANA
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