- Ruben Amorim will officially take charge at Old Trafford on November 11
- But United have still been predicted to finish adrift of the European places
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Manchester United have been tipped to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League while City will narrowly pip Arsenal to the title in a thrilling three-way race.
That is according to the latest predictions from a supercomputer, via JeffBet, which has determined the most probable places for each side at the end of the season.
United yesterday officially announced Ruben Amorim as Erik ten Hag’s successor at Old Trafford but must wait until November 11 for the 39-year-old to take charge, with Ruud van Nistelrooy extending his interim spell until the international break.
Ten Hag was dismissed the day after the dismal 2-1 defeat by West Ham and judging from the computer’s latest forecast, there is plenty of work to be done for Amorim.
Indeed, the Red Devils could be set for a lowly 12th-placed finish despite the drastic change in the dugout. They have not dropped below 10th place since placing 13th in 1990 under Sir Alex Ferguson – a campaign in which they also won the FA Cup.
This campaign, United may have to settle for a tally of just 50 points, a figure that would push them below Brentford (ninth), Nottingham Forest (10th) and Bournemouth (11th) and keep them level with the Hammers.
At the opposite end of the table, the AI has calculated that City will win a fifth straight title, ahead of Mikel Arteta’s challengers on goal difference.
Both heavyweights have been tipped to finish with 95 points apiece.
Liverpool, meanwhile, would therefore have to settle for third place despite Arne Slot’s near-perfect start to his debut season in England.
Despite them sitting second at present, and just one point behind City, the AI believes the Reds will drop as far as seven points off the pace on 88.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea would take 76 points should the supercomputer prove correct, enough to leave them fourth and back in the Champions League.
Aston Villa and Brighton are fifth and sixth respectively in this scenario while Newcastle would edge off competition from Tottenham to finish seventh.
In the relegation zone, newcomers Southampton and Ipswich have been tipped to drop back down to the Championship at the first time of asking.
According to the computer, they will also be joined by Gary O’Neil’s Wolves.
As reported by Mail Sport, O’Neil maintains the immediate backing of the hierarchy at Molineux but is focusing mounting pressure to turn the club’s season around.
