11 November 2023 , 06:00
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A supercomputer has tipped Manchester United to end the Premier League season down in ninth, their worst finish in more than 30 years, as pressure mounts on manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag has led United to some important league victories of late, but there isn't much margin for error as they take on Luton. After making their worst-ever Premier League start when they lost four of their first seven games, they have won three of the last four - including a dramatic late win at Fulham last time out.
In the meantime, though, dismal results in Europe have left the Red Devils on the brink of Champions League elimination. They lost 4-3 away to FC Copenhagen on Wednesday, and another reverse against Galatasaray in Turkey would see their adventure come to an end one game early.
Some will feel an early European exit can help United focus on the league. For now, though, the numbers don't look pretty for last season's third-place finishers.
Betting Expert has been using its 'BETSiE' supercomputer to predict the Premier League table and matchday results on a rolling basis throughout the season. Its latest predictions have United down in ninth, albeit with a comparable points tally to the 2021-22 season when they finished sixth under Ralf Rangnick
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Not only that, but United's Champions League hopes continue to look very slim. Their chances of a top two finish are just 0.1 per cent, while they're 1.9 per cent to finish in the top four, and are considered more likely to finish in the bottom half (18.6 per cent) than the top six (13.5 per cent).
Manchester City are tipped to retain their title, with a projection of 86 points - three fewer than last season. Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle round off the top four, with Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton going down.
Where will Manchester United finish this season? Have your say in the comments section
Late goals against Fulham and Brentord have helped United recover from a slow start to the season (Getty Images)Based on the same supercomputer calculations United are at least expected to come away with all three points this weekend. They are given a 72.2 per cent chance of beating Luton, with only Arsenal (against Burnley) and Brighton (against Sheffield United) more likely to win their respective games.
They'll need to put the midweek result behind them, though, with captain Bruno Fernandes reflecting on the mood in the dressing room after the defeat in Copenhagen. “Disappointment," the Portuguese told club media. "I think for everything we did in the game, we could and should have gotten something.
“It is difficult at the moment, obviously, and the mood is not the best because I think we fought so hard with ten men that even from then on it was playing against a team that plays really well on the ball, and as a part of that, many decisions went against us.
"Today was a tough day but I think the team effort was good. We tried. We could have done some things better, but it was difficult for us from thirty minutes on, playing with one player less."