Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher mock Manchester United over dwindling Champions League hopes
The punditry duo couldn't resist a little dig.
Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher have both taken aim at Manchester United over their likely failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, coupled with a massive win for Aston Villa at the Emirates, means United are now 13 points adrift of fourth place.
Results in Europe – which saw four of the Premier League’s five representatives fail to win last week – also mean fifth place is looking less likely to become a Champions League spot, particularly after Borussia Dortmund’s win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.
In fact, United are now in a battle simply to qualify for Europe, with Newcastle now ahead of them in the table on goal difference and both West Ham and Chelsea breathing down their neck.
It could even be the case that United’s best chance of qualifying for the Europa League comes via the FA Cup, with the Red Devils taking on Championship side Coventry City in the semi-final this weekend.
Both Arsenal legend Henry and Liverpool hero Carragher are clearly revelling in United’s misery and could not resist a pop during CBS Sports’ coverage of the Champions League this week.
Teasing United-supporting host Kate Abdo, Henry said: ‘Arsenal will be in the Champions League. Man United? Man United?’
A laughing Carragher chimed in: ‘Do we cover the Conference League?’
Referencing the fact that United could drop as low as ninth if results don’t improve quickly, Henry cheekily added: ‘Hey, and we still don’t, you know… [know if they’ll qualify for that].’
Carragher, meanwhile, was not spared from a few barbs himself after Liverpool’s shock Premier League defeat at home to Crystal Palace and their 3-0 humbling at the hands of Atalanta.
In the space of just a few days, Liverpool’s hopes of securing a perfect send-off for Jurgen Klopp look like they are crumbling – and Carragher does not appear confident of seeing a miracle comeback against Atalanta in Bergamo on Thursday night.
‘There’s two nights in Dublin if anyone wants them… and it’s on me,’ said Carragher, with the Europa League final taking place in the Irish capital.
Asked by Micah Richards if Liverpool won’t be going to the final then, Carragher replied: ‘It doesn’t look like it, no!’
Liverpool can actually jump back above Manchester City this weekend if they beat Fulham at Craven Cottage – the second of four consecutive away games – and will even claim top spot if Arsenal fail to beat Wolves.
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