Schmeichel: Exit will spur players on
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel hopes Tuesday night’s Champions League exit will spur the players on in the close race to finish in the Premier League’s top four this season.
Ralf Rangnick’s side have only nine games remaining in the campaign, and are currently one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who have 12 fixtures left to play.
The Gunners are clearly the favourites to take that fourth position, which secures qualification for next season’s Champions League competition, but Schmeichel is confident that United can still have what it takes to beat Mikel Arteta’s side to it.
“I’m a little bit hopeful that we can do it,” the 1999 Champions League-winning keeper told BBC Radio 5 Live.
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“I think when I look at the quality of the players we have, some of the players, the history they have and what they’ve achieved before, it’s a big, big chink in their pride to be knocked out of Europe now and with only the Premier League to play for now, I’m really, really hoping that that will do something for the players.
“It is possible to win all your games. There is not a lot of room for mistakes, but it’s possible. It’s going to be something that goes to the wire, I’m absolutely sure about that, the same as who’s going to win the title and who’s going to stay in the Premier League.
“There are nine games to play still. Liverpool play Arsenal today in London; it’s not very often it happens but I want Liverpool to win that game. I think Arsenal have done really well but there are little signs of vulnerability there as well. It’s one thing to have played the games, it’s another thing to have games in hand. You still have to play those games and win those games, but they are in a good position.”
ARSENAL/UNITED GAMES
ARSENAL v Liverpool - 16 March - 20:15
Aston Villa v ARSENAL - 19 March - 12:30
UNITED v Leicester - 2 April - 17:30
Crystal Palace v ARSENAL - 4 April - 20:00
Everton v UNITED - 9 April - 12:30
ARSENAL v Brighton - 9 April - 15:00
UNITED v Norwich - 16 April - 15:00
Southampton v ARSENAL - 16 April - 15:00
Liverpool v UNITED - 19 April - 20:00
Chelsea v ARSENAL - 20 April - 19:45
ARSENAL v UNITED - 23 April - 12:30
West Ham v ARSENAL - 1 May - 16:30
UNITED v Brentford - 2 May - 20:00
Brighton v UNITED - 7 May - 15:00*
ARSENAL v Leeds United - 7 May - 15:00*
UNITED v Chelsea - 15 May - 15:00*
Newcastle v ARSENAL - 15 May - 15:00*
Crystal Palace v UNITED - 22 May - 16:00
ARSENAL v Everton - 22 May - 16:00
*date and time to be confirmed.