Manchester United

[frank the tank]

They will have a decent season imo. The difference of not having European football will be huge. Approx half the teams will be in Europe next year while they have a week off in between games. From November to March that will be a huge advantage for them. Small squad required, not much rotation required. Against the bottom 8 or so teams that should help them in a big way both home and away

[BG1973]

True but they have a manager under extreme pressure from the first kick.. if they start anything like they finished it could be very difficult for them very quickly.

Which I think is going to happen.

[Sus]

They are betting everything on this manager being the one to take them out of this ****show

That’s a lot of pressure on him to deliver, and even if he is far better than what he has shown so far, there’s still the dysfunctional ownership, perilous financial position and toxic culture of the place

It just feels a long way back for the club to be betting everything on the manager

Really really really hope it goes tits up early in the season

[spud_gun]

They've got a hard start to the season

Their first 5 games comprise of

Arsenal Home
Fulham Away
Burnley Home
Citeh Away
Chelsea Home

You could see them with 4 points from those games

[RedReet]

They will have a decent season imo. The difference of not having European football will be huge. Approx half the teams will be in Europe next year while they have a week off in between games. From November to March that will be a huge advantage for them. Small squad required, not much rotation required. Against the bottom 8 or so teams that should help them in a big way both home and away

Has that theory every been proved? Obviously it's very unusual for 'big' team not to be in Europe, but has there ever been a practical example to confirm that it actually is that much of a benefit?

Don't get me wrong, the benefits are obvious, less travel, less matches, less burn out etc., but there are also downsides. There are less matches to keep squad players fit and healthy and less opportunities to develop younger players. Extra matches can help build momentum or help you get over a bad result. Similarly, a big win in Europe than lift the whole club and be the catalyst for better things.

Also, teams have to make the most of the time off and training be effective. Some players may not react well to extra training and if the sessions are dull and/or ineffective, then that could even be detrimental. This should really show how good Amorim is. Most top players are also used to playing twice a week now and look after themselves better so again, it's not that much of an advantage.

I think if there had of been international football on this summer, United might have benefitted a fair bit from not being in Europe, but as most players will have had a rare summer off, fatigue should be less of an issue next year (don't think United need to worry about City or Chelsea before anyone says ).

[RedReet]

They've got a hard start to the season

Their first 5 games comprise of

Arsenal Home
Fulham Away
Burnley Home
Citeh Away
Chelsea Home

You could see them with 4 points from those games

Who on earth do you cheer for in week 1?

[vlahka]

All draws would be good enough for me.

[Norbs]

Who on earth do you cheer for in week 1?

UNITED, cha cha cha, UNITED

[Sus]

Has that theory every been proved? Obviously it's very unusual for 'big' team not to be in Europe, but has there ever been a practical example to confirm that it actually is that much of a benefit?

Don't get me wrong, the benefits are obvious, less travel, less matches, less burn out etc., but there are also downsides. There are less matches to keep squad players fit and healthy and less opportunities to develop younger players. Extra matches can help build momentum or help you get over a bad result. Similarly, a big win in Europe than lift the whole club and be the catalyst for better things.

Also, teams have to make the most of the time off and training be effective. Some players may not react well to extra training and if the sessions are dull and/or ineffective, then that could even be detrimental. This should really show how good Amorim is. Most top players are also used to playing twice a week now and look after themselves better so again, it's not that much of an advantage.

I think if there had of been international football on this summer, United might have benefitted a fair bit from not being in Europe, but as most players will have had a rare summer off, fatigue should be less of an issue next year (don't think United need to worry about City or Chelsea before anyone says ).

We nearly won the league in 2013/14 while only playing one game a week

[SB]

We nearly won the league in 2013/14 while only playing one game a week

Is that a Mikel Arteta quote ?

[Sus]

Is that a Mikel Arteta quote ?

Ha so rude grandpa

[SB]

Ha so rude grandpa

[RedReet]

We nearly won the league in 2013/14 while only playing one game a week

Good shout.

[frank the tank]

Leicester surely the best example. I think they went out of both cups at the first hurdle that year too.

[RedReet]

Leicester surely the best example. I think they went out of both cups at the first hurdle that year too.

Not sure that does hold up for me. Of course there is no way they'd have won the league if they were playing European matches that season, but there are also a million other factors that contributed to that miracle. There are about 12 Leicester's every year that never come close to achieving what they did, that was just a completely random and unexpected turn of events.

Forest could have been a similar tale if they held on, but in the end they were caught by the bigger teams, ironically Chelsea in particular who finished strongly, despite still being in Europe.