There’s a sense of a Europa Conference League six-pointer between Manchester United and Chelsea.

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Over a span of six years, there were multiple instances where it seemed like Mauricio Pochettino was destined to lead Manchester United.

The Argentinean was touted as the man to make sense of the madhouse that is Old Trafford, from his lunch with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2016 to his unofficial interview for the position early last year and many other occasions in between.

 

 

 

Rather, Pochettino became the manager of a different basket case this summer, having assumed control of Chelsea’s wealthy boys’ club.

He is going to Old Trafford on Wednesday night to watch the Premier League’s “dysfunctional derby,” in which two once-dominant, yet-to-be-minted clubs are fighting for scraps over the course of an exciting three-horse race to the title, with neither of them even getting close to participating.

Chelsea and United are well behind Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City, while Aston Villa, Newcastle, and Tottenham should all continue to be above them.

The most important match in English football during the reigns of the two great dictators of the Premier League, Sir Alex and Roman Abramovich, was United vs. Chelsea, which included a 2008 Champions League final in Moscow.

 

However, with both teams in transition, this Wednesday’s game has the air of a six-pointer for qualification to the Europa Conference League.

Erik ten Hag is relieved that Pochettino, his main opponent for the United position, isn’t exactly winning at Stamford Bridge and isn’t as well-known as the “King Across the Water.”

Ten Hag reportedly presented a stronger argument during the two men’s interview with United last year.

PowerPoint presentations are seldom a reliable predictor of a manager’s performance, especially in a volatile dressing room like United’s.

 

It’s thought that United made the naïve recommendation in the modern era that Pochettino should leave Paris Saint-Germain last year in order to avoid having to pay compensation.

Ten Hag benefited because neither United nor Poch was willing to press the matter when it mattered most.

But could Pochettino have handled such a fringe club any better?

Nothing suggests that by looking at the league table, where Chelsea is five points and three spots below United in tenth.

Furthermore, Ten Hag’s debut season was a qualified success, as evidenced by his third-place result, two cup final appearances, first title in six years, and crucial role in Cristiano Ronaldo’s ejection.

 

However, a quick look at the Dutchman’s team’s 1-0 loss against Newcastle on Saturday, where they were thoroughly embarrassed, showed that they are not a cohesive one under their boss.

After that, the Red Devils’ record against teams in the top half was six games played, six losses.

When combined with a disastrous Champions League campaign, this is the club’s lowest point in almost thirty years.

 

 

The inevitable criticism of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial for supposedly downing tools was led by Alan Shearer, Paul Scholes, and Jamie Carragher, and it was not without some merit.

Nonetheless, there has seldom, if ever, been discussion about a Pochettino team’s players pouting and coasting.
His Chelsea boys look like they’re trying too hard, if anything.

Reece James and Conor Gallagher were both sent off over the course of two weekends after receiving two yellow cards while donning the captain’s armband.

It’s not ideal, but it’s less likely to incur the wrath of the punditry community than raising your hands and walking away.

 

Even though Chelsea’s “project” of almost solely recruiting young players to long contracts may have flaws, at least it is a project that can be seen, and they do have a manager at Spurs who has experience developing young, successful Premier League teams.

A former center-half for Argentina, Pochettino is a tough guy with a lot of warmth, so players usually appreciate playing for him.

Ten Hag fails to be warm and convincing as the tough guy, thus his team is not as devoted to him as they may be.

 

With a striker in Rasmus Hojlund who hasn’t scored a goal in the Premier League, a keeper in Andre Onana who is turning into a joke, and a midfielder in Mason Mount who is presently sidelined and facing long-term injury, United’s summer business is going horribly wrong.

Although Chelsea’s £1 billion spending spree under Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali has produced some promising additions, the team’s overall play has been excruciatingly uneven.

 

In contrast to United, who consistently defeats inferior teams and draws with superior ones, the Blues can win or lose against any team in the Premier League.

Uncertainty surrounds Chelsea’s current classification, so mystery will amidst the mayhem on Wednesday.

In addition, if Pochettino wins, United will question what could have happened with the man who got away.

 

 

It should come as no surprise that Alejandro Garnacho easily won the Match of the Day Goal-of-the-Month award for his incredible bicycle kick at Goodison Park.

However, Mohammed Kudus of West Ham, Michael Olise of Crystal Palace, and Pablo Sarabia of Wolves may have all won Goal of the Season in previous years for their November efforts.

Additionally, December’s competition ought to be at least passable considering that Liverpool provided three excellent candidates in a single game—the thrilling seven-goal thriller against Fulham on Sunday.

 

 

ONE THING about “Advantage-gate” at the Etihad on Sunday is worth mentioning.

Even if referee Simon Hooper’s mistake had allowed play to continue, Jack Grrealish, who is still far from goal and not very fast, probably wouldn’t have scored the game-winning goal in injury time.

 

 

Given the harsh criticism he has continuously faced, it should come as no surprise that England captain Owen Farrell is taking a hiatus from international rugby in order to focus on his personal and family’s health.

After all, Ben Stokes, the captain of England’s cricket team, took a similar hiatus in 2021.

Elite modern athletes have very little opportunity to avoid pressure in a time when the spotlight is always on them and ultra-professionalism is expected.

The only surprise is that more people do not adopt the same strategy.

 

 

Almost eight years have passed since the last Tyne-Wear derby, and Sunderland has won six of those nine games without a loss.

In 2013, a furious Toon supporter was imprisoned for assaulting a police horse after the Mackems defeated the team 3-0 at St. James’ Park—a defeat that is still unavenged.

It’s possible that Sir Bob Murray, the former chairman of Sunderland, finds it simple to say that his team would never have accepted Saudi billions unless they were actually presented.

Therefore, the third-round draw is a true Grade A belter, sending the boys from Geordie Arabia to the Stadium of Light.
The FA Cup will always exist.

 

 

If you’re looking for a Premier League match to watch on Amazon Prime, my recommendation is Aston Villa vs. Manchester City.

Why? Since chaos is my constant companion, I’ll be there.

 

The following six games are the ones I’ve been to recently: Fulham 3 Wolves 2 (with three penalties and serious VAR madness); Galatasaray 3 Man United 3 and Sunday’s Man City 3 Tottenham 3. Tottenham 1 Chelsea 4 (with five disallowed goals, two red cards, and extreme VAR madness). Copenhagen 4 Manchester United 3.

Thirty-seven goals in just six games — and that’s only the beginning.