You know that feeling of queuing up for a nightclub in the cold and rain, without a coat, only to be turned away at the door because you don’t look the part? Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger certainly do.
With the season reaching a climax, they risk being rejected from the exclusive top-four club by a bald bouncer named Pep.
One in, one out
The European guest-list is almost full, with Chelsea and Tottenham in the top spots and Liverpool and Manchester City trying to cling on to the next two. Just one point separates the red and blue sides of the city, and United head to the Emirates tomorrow to try and leapfrog their local rivals.
Tough fixtures have left Mourinho’s side priced at 5/1 to sneak their way into the top four club, with Arsenal six points behind fourth place and 13/2 to make up the ground. It’s a big ask for either side, though United still have a chance to head into Europe’s top competition by the back door.
Old rivalries
There’s certainly no love lost between these two managers, and with Wenger only managing to beat Mourinho once in their last 16 meetings, tomorrow’s clash at The Emirates is as crucial as it gets.
The home side are the 19/20 favourites to take the three points, which would leave them just two adrift of United in 5th. Though it’s looking more like this could be Wenger’s first ever season with The Gunners where they don’t make the Champions League spots.
Four of the last five league meetings between these sides have seen both find the net, and with most of United’s backline in the medical room, Arsenal to win and both teams to score at 11/4 could be a good shout. Paul Pogba returned to the team against Celta Vigo in blistering form and is priced at 4/1 to score anytime. This could be great value when you consider Marcus Rashford is likely to be rested.