Manchester United Falling Out of Premier League Contention

• Manchester United’s EPL odds continue to drop as the club struggles to keep pace with the league’s top teams
• What’s been the cause of Man U’s decline?
• Do United still have a chance to win the Premier League?

How the mighty have fallen.

Manchester United are still considered one of the premier clubs in world soccer, but their play on the field has been less than inspiring for a team of their stature.

Average Odds to Win the Premier League

Man U are a team expected to compete for not only the Premier League title, but also for major trophies across Europe.

Yet after 10 games, United are 5-2-3 and eighth overall in the EPL. Their odds to win the Premier League trophy continue to tumble, and today sit at an average of +9000. Last month they had average odds of +4000.

Odds To Win EPL

Money Can’t Buy Happiness

Or in United’s case, it also can’t buy you wins. Man U finished second last season, but a full 19 points behind their rival Manchester City.

Their total team salary has ballooned to near £300 million, which puts them only behind Barcelona in Europe.

With players like Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez making a reported £290,000-a-week and £500,000-a-week, respectively, the team is not getting the most bang for their buck.

Pogba has been involved in public spats with manager Jose Mourinho, and Sanchez has only one goal this season.

Sanchez had only two all of last season, though he often struggled to find playing time under Mourinho. There are now rumors he could be on his way out of United during the January transfer market.

Manchester United legend blasts Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba https://t.co/OkQ4jmLelV

— Man Utd Empire (@Empire_Mu) October 31, 2018

For all the talent on this squad, facts are they have scored exactly one more goal than the likes of clubs such as Watford, Everton, and Leicester.

Their 17 total goals scored ranks sixth, and 17 goals allowed is only fewer than four clubs. The four clubs that have allowed more are all 15th or lower in the the EPL table.

Anthony Martial in 2018/19:

First four Premier League games: 0 goals.
Last three Premier League games: 4 goals. pic.twitter.com/2Ssj7ewlrT

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 28, 2018

If there’s reason for optimism in Manchester, they are undefeated in their last three and have only lost once in their past five matches.

Anthony Martial is also emerging as a star. The 22-year-old has been heating up after a slow start to the season.

Is Mourinho’s Time Up?

Mourinho is known to wear out his welcome and often it comes in his third season. Guess what? This is his third season at Old Trafford.

Once dubbed “The Special One”, when you think of him now, you’re more likely to think of him throwing his players under the bus in the media, publicly criticising ownership for not getting him the players he wants, or for one of his many post-game tirades.

His antics have now gained him a new moniker of “Captain Deflecto”, often creating drama to distract from his team’s poor play.

Best Value To Win EPL?

I still believe the title will go to one of the two favorites of Man City or Liverpool, who sit tied atop the table with 26 points. The value is gone from City, but Liverpool could still net you a small return.

Looking down to the second-tier favorties, each of Chelsea at +1200 and especially Arsenal at +4000 offer great value. The two clubs are only two and four points behind the leaders respectively.

In the case of Chelsea, they are not only tied with Arsenal for the second-most goals with 24, but have only allowed seven and have yet to lose a match.

Chelsea's results in all competitions in 2018/19:

WWWWWWDWDWWDWWW

Goals: 34
Conceded: 11

Sarri-ball is in full swing. pic.twitter.com/mZZet9boqm

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 31, 2018