With 11 games to go, Manchester United's hopes of competing in the Champions League next season are hanging by a thread. Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium has left them 11 points shy of the top four places, meaning they are going to need to put together a monster run of form to stand any chance of competing in Europe's premier club competition next term.
Aston Villa, who are currently fourth, beat Luton Town 3-2 on Saturday to open up an 11-point gap prior to United crossing the Manchester divide.
Sandwiched between Villa in fourth and United in sixth are fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. The Londoners recorded a win of their own on Saturday, beating Crystal Palace 3-1, meaning they are five points behind Villa and six clear of United. READ MORE: Erik ten Hag's substitutions further undermine his position at United READ MORE: Paul Scholes gives verdict on Erik ten Hag's United future This forthcoming weekend will see Villa and Spurs go head-to-head in what could prove to be a season-defining fixture for both at Villa Park.
With at least one of them guaranteed to drop points, United need to take full advantage when they face Everton 24 hours earlier.
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