Reds can shake up the standings

The table may not make pleasant reading for Reds fans at the moment, with the team sitting in eighth place, but the standings could look different come the end of the weekend with the opportunity presenting itself for Jose Mourinho’s men to make ground up on our rivals.

Of course, it would be foolish not to concentrate on our own matters and Palace will be determined to make life difficult when heading north on Saturday. But if United can secure a welcome victory against an Eagles side with only two points from their last seven league games, there is the potential for the picture to look considerably brighter.

Ander Herrera has already spoken about how he appreciates the chance to shake up the standings and a glance at the next set of fixtures underlines how important this can be in starting a push towards the top four.

Watford, currently above United on goal difference, take on second-placed Liverpool at Vicarage Road at the same time the Reds are entertaining Palace. The teatime kick-off is an intriguing London derby between Tottenham and Chelsea at Wembley. Spurs are fourth, seven points in front of us, with Maurizio Sarri’s Blues one place and one point better off.

On Sunday, Bournemouth face Arsenal in another match that will prove beneficial for Jose’s men, providing we can win our game. We may have beaten the Cherries earlier this month but they lie in sixth spot and are likely to be a tough test for the in-form Gunners, who are a place above them on 24 points.

Therefore, points are going to be dropped by the sides filling the top seven slots, regardless of what happens in terms of the scorelines, and let’s hope United can begin a run of positive results that sets thing up nicely for a hectic spell of games in December.

The final month of the year begins for the Reds with a trip to Southampton, before a day of derbies in the top flight as Chelsea face Fulham, Arsenal take on Tottenham and Liverpool meet Everton. Once again, points will be shared elsewhere and there is every incentive for Jose’s side to kick on and move up the table.

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