Former Defender Sets Champions League Expectation for United
Former Manchester United defender Danny Simpson has declared that his old club should be targeting a top-four finish 'at the very least' this season as they prepare to return to Premier League action. The ex-Old Trafford player, who famously won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, believes United have shown enough recent improvement to justify Champions League qualification ambitions.
Opportunity Knocks After Rivals Stumble
Simpson's comments come at a crucial moment in United's season, with Ruben Amorim's side able to climb to fourth position if they secure victory against Everton at home on Monday night. This follows the international break and significant weekend results that saw both Manchester City and Liverpool suffer defeats.
The unexpected losses for United's rivals have opened up the battle for positions behind league leaders Arsenal, creating what Simpson describes as a golden opportunity. United approach this crucial period enjoying a five-match unbeaten run, providing momentum as they seek to capitalise on their rivals' slip-ups.
New Signings and Renewed Spirit Driving Improvement
'If I were in that dressing-room with the United players as a part of that team, I would be looking at my teammates, thinking we must finish in the top four at the very least,' Simpson stated emphatically.
The former defender pointed to United's summer recruitment as a key factor in their recent resurgence, specifically highlighting the impact of Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha. He believes these additions have not only strengthened the squad directly but have also had a positive effect on established players like Casemiro, whose form has noticeably improved.
Simpson expressed particular admiration for the team's newfound resilience, citing recent comebacks against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham where United rescued points in injury time after trailing 2-1 away from home. 'That's the type of character United used to have under Sir Alex Ferguson that we haven't seen under Ruben Amorim before,' he observed. 'That team spirit has been lacking in recent years, and it's great to see it back in the side.'
Defensive Concerns Remain Despite Progress
While optimistic about United's direction, Simpson didn't shy away from identifying areas requiring improvement. He noted that despite scoring 19 league goals this season, United only maintain a plus one goal difference, highlighting ongoing defensive vulnerabilities.
'They are still conceding a lot of goals,' Simpson acknowledged. 'The defence needs to tighten up if they want to progress further. They will need to improve this to challenge the top four.'
However, he remains convinced that the fundamental attitude of the team has transformed for the better. 'I think the attitude, desire, and commitment of the team have changed for the better this season,' Simpson concluded, suggesting that the foundations for sustained success are being rebuilt at Old Trafford.
