BREAKING: See where Manchester United stands in latest UEFA ranking
The new UEFA rankings have been released and Manchester United’s placing has left fans shocked.
It has been another below-par campaign for United as they have so far struggled to produce their best football under Erik ten Hag.
In the Premier League, the Red Devils currently sit sixth in the table with 27 points, 10 points off leaders Liverpool.
This week, their Champions League dream turned into a nightmare as they were dumped out of Europe altogether after their 1-0 defeat by Bayern Munich.
As a result, United finished bottom of their group and will not play any European football in the new year.
However, despite their bad start to the campaign, United remain one of the highest-ranked teams according to UEFA.
The new UEFA club ranking was released and the Old Trafford club were ranked in ninth place.
United were ranked higher than the likes of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid and Serie A champions Napoli.
Reacting to United’s ranking on social media, one fan said: “Surprised were ninth TBH.”
Another tweeted: “I wouldn’t have put us that high.”
A third fan added: “Generous considering we’re utter sh*t.”
Current champions of England and Europe, Manchester City are top of the pile.
City are closely followed by German Bundesliga champions Bayern, with Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid completing the top three.
Liverpool are fourth despite failing to qualify for this season’s Champions League.
UEFA Club Ranking Top 10:
1. Manchester City
2. Bayern Munich
3. Real Madrid
4. Liverpool
5. Paris Saint Germain
6. Inter Millan
7. Chelsea
8. RB Leipzig
9. Manchester United
10. AS Roma
United will be back in action this weekend as they face a tough Premier League away match at Anfield against arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are basking in good form and managed to put seven goals past United the last time they played each other at Anfield.
Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t hesitate with his response after he was asked which player he wished he had managed at Old Trafford.
Ferguson himself admitted that he was fortunate enough to manage four “world-class” players at United alongside a roster of stacked talent at the Red Devils.
However, the iconic former United manager also missed out on several talented signings that he wanted at Old Trafford and even regretted selling certain players.
During his incredible 26-year reign at United, Ferguson enjoyed both highs with players that he managed and also hit low points with some flop signings he made.
Despite the targets that he missed out on at United, the 81-year-old Scotsman etched his name in the history books as one of the best managers of all time.
Ferguson hoovered up the major silverware at Old Trafford and his United side were the first English team to complete a continental treble in the 1998-99 season.
Following his retirement in 2013, the Scot has opened up on his dominant tenure at United and has been forthcoming with the players that he wanted at Old Trafford.
Ferguson on ‘fantastic’ player he wanted at United
During an exchange with United legend Gary Neville, Ferguson was asked questions from fans and one of them included which player he wished he had managed.
Ferguson immediately responded with England hero Paul Gascoigne, with the United legend saying that “he was the best English player” since Sir Bobby Charlton.
Speaking to LADbible TV in 2021, he said: “Paul Gascoigne, without question. I think he was the best English player since Bobby Charlton. I think he was a fantastic player.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get him and I think, looking back now, he made a big mistake. He recognised it himself years later.
“But we had Geordies in the camp. We had Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce, even Gary Pallister from Middlesbrough.
“We had people there that would have taken care of him, particularly Bryan Robson who is fantastic with players.
“So, he goes to an island in London, and you’re easily swallowed up there for a young lad and I think that was a big mistake by him. I think he was a marvellous player. I loved his strength.”
Ferguson’s reaction after Gascoigne played against United
Ferguson, who correctly called one Premier League prediction this season, witnessed first-hand the devastating impact that Gascoigne could cause on the pitch.
The ex-Aberdeen boss’ United side travelled to St James’ Park and he deployed a formidable midfield trio of Norman Whiteside, Bryan Robson and Remi Moses.
Ferguson was in for a rude awakening as Gascoigne, who played for Newcastle at the time, “destroyed” his midfield trio and nutmegged Moses in front of him.
The United legend was in awe at the 56-year-old ex-England player’s performance and recalled what he told former United chairman Martin Edwards at the time.
“We played Newcastle up there on Easter Monday, I think, and he’d just come back from injury […]. And as soon as he [came] back, they [Newcastle] started winning games,” Ferguson continued.
“And I went there with putting three in the middle of the pitch: Whiteside, Robson and Remi Moses. He destroyed them, honestly. And then he nutmegged Remi Moses right in front of the dugout and patted him [on] the head. And I’m jumping out of the box and going ‘f**k.’
“Honestly, he was unbelievable and I said to Martin Edwards coming back on the bus: ‘Sign this boy. Get on the phone to him on Monday.’
“And by that time, he had already done a deal with Tottenham, which was really unfortunate.
“That was a disappointment because he agreed to sign and then Tottenham changed his mind by buying his mother and father a house.”
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