We would have avoided them had we finished 3rd obviously. Its a shame we lost 3 in a row and it showed we still have work to do but it doesnt change the fact we have had a good season and pulled ourselves closer to the level we ll want United at (even our rivals, though they wont like to admit it #needus). I am happy with 4th but its good that I can be disappointed in that we could have done better. Good reason to be optimistic.
Even if they fail to win and we beat them, its unlikely. The gap is too big at this stage with their game in hand and goal difference. Scrap that. For some reason I thought they were 5 ahead not 2. 3rd is indeed on, for a moment at least.
Mourinho had a strong first season compared to LVG, a title challenge to matchday 37 and semis of CL. 82 points Whereas LVG had two poor cup runs and has not reached 70 points yet despite £170m spend. Surely you can see the difference
Chelsea weren't a shambles after a horror season which saw them tumble down the league? Jose had a full pre season? Jose had previously managed in the Premier League and more importantly, at Chelsea?
Mourinho also waited for SAF to retire before he came back as he knew that would make the league a lot easier to win. He was sacked for failing to compete with a resurgent United, despite having spent a fortune, so there was no way he was going to return to the PL until SAF had called it a day.
We've achieved or target of getting back into the champions league (although will still have a nervy qualifier) so the season is a success. We've missed a big opportunity to do better though. It was there, we seemed to settle for what we had. Third or second and there could be genuine reason to think we'll challenge fully next season but tailing off has left some doubt. That's about as much as I can say really, next year will be our year though.
Finishing fourth and losing a champions league qualifier wouldn't be deemed a 'success' so yes, it does matter!!!
Mourinho inherited a side that finished 3rd and won the Europa League, then spent £110m to take them to finishing 3rd and winning nothing LVG inherited a side that finished 7th and spent £145m to take them to probably finishing 4th You're the man for history, can you tell me the last time a team went from finishing 7th one season to getting into the CL the next? I'm sure everyone can see the difference
