Erik ten Hag is changing his approach before and after Manchester United's matches

A Manchester United staff member complained about a tweet at the weekend that they were certain to finish below Aston Villa in the Premier League table.

Almost lost in the fallout of Villa’s collapse against Chelsea is they are assured of ending the campaign above United for the first time since 1990. That is an undeniable achievement when their incumbent coach was appointed less than 18 months ago with Villa in 16th.

Villa Park seems certain to host European Cup football for the first time in 41 years. Villa have been wobbling but Tottenham, fifth, are prone to bottling.

Then there is the afterthought that is United. Having begun the season in the Champions League, their expectations have been scaled back to merely qualifying for Europe. Their league campaign was a write-off weeks ago and the only question that remains is whether they will be in the draw for the Europa League or the Conference League.

United privately admit that they are now bracketed with Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle. Publicly, they daren’t make such a galling admission.

EXCLUSIVE: United targeting two centre backs in transfer window

READ MORE: United have louder negative opinions to deal with after Burnley draw

Villa’s only trophy in the last 40 years was the League Cup in 1996 when it was the Coca-Cola Cup. Tottenham have lifted two League Cups in 30 years when the competition was sponsored by Worthington and then Carling. Newcastle last paraded a major trophy on the Tyne when Harold Wilson was the prime minister.

This is the company United now keep. Less than 12 months ago, they ended the season above Liverpool. Now they are closer to Everton, points-wise.

Erik ten Hag claims United are entertaining and he is right. For all the wrong