Manchester United: Comparing Each Reds Unit to Those of Top-4 Hopefuls

After losing to Swansea City for the second time this season, Manchester United find themselves in a precarious situation to close out the campaign.

They now have just a three-point lead over seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur, and must also be wary of Liverpool, Arsenal and Southampton—even with the latter struggling for form.

United do have the quality to finish in the top-four, but they are clearly a flawed team and would be lucky to qualify for the Champions League if their current poor play continued.

In anticipation of a tight top-four race, let's look at where each of United's units stand in comparison to those of the other top-four hopefuls.

(Note: Chelsea and Manchester City are not included in this article because it seems impossible for these teams not to make the top-four. Thus they are top-four locks rather than "hopefuls.")

Goalkeeping

Clint Hughes/Associated Press/Associated Press

David de Gea has often covered the errors of his teammates this season

Arsenal: David Ospina/Wojciech Szczesny

Manchester United: David de Gea

Southampton: Fraser Forster

Liverpool: Simon Mignolet

Spurs: Hugo Lloris

At this stage of the season, all of these teams are in prime position to finish in the top-four, so it is not surprising to find extremely skilled goalkeepers in their ranks.

Hugo Lloris and Fraser Forster have been steady all season, with 12 and six clean sheets, respectively. Despite the disparity in clean sheets, Spurs' Lloris is probably the better 'keeper, as he's faced the third-most shots on goal (121) in all of the EPL, while Saints' Forster has had the benefit of a much stingier defense.

For some time, Simon Mignolet's future at Liverpool looked to be in major doubt, with Brad Jones' displacing of him furthering this theory. The Belgian has responded with excellent form lately, and now has the third-most clean sheets in the EPL, a surprising stat given his tumultuous season.

Despite their current third-place standing, Arsenal easily have the weakest goalkeeper(s) of this bunch. Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina have only three clean sheets each, and the former had only the 13th-highest save percentage (68.3) before he was benched in favor of the Colombian—who has often looked unsettled.

While Arsenal's recent success has come in spite of their goalkeeping woes, United's "success" this year has hinged largely on it. David de Gea is probably the most important player at the club currently and has been in scintillating form all campaign. He has the league's third-highest save percentage (73.5), a healthy 72 saves and is invaluable to United.

Even with Liverpool, Southampton, and Spurs all having talented 'keepers, De Gea gives the Red Devils an advantage over these teams in this regard.

Stats in this slide via NBC Sports

Defense

Jon Super/Associated Press/Associated Press

Marcos Rojo has been one of United's more consistent defensive performers

Arsenal: Calum Chambers, Per Mertesacker, Hector Bellerin, Kieran Gibbs, Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel Paulista

Manchester United: Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair, Antonio Valencia

Southampton: Toby Alderweireld, Ryan Bertrand, Nathaniel Clyne, Jose Fonte, Matt Targett, Maya Yoshida

Liverpool: Emre Can, Mamadou Sakho, Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel

Spurs: Younes Kaboul, Jan Vertonghen, Eric Dier, Danny Rose, Kyle Walker, Federico Fazio, Ben Davies

Out of this group, it is surprising to see Liverpool near the top defensively, using a three-man back line. Mamadou Sakho, Emre Can, and Martin Skrtel have all been in impressive form since the switch to this shape, and Liverpool have conceded just two goals in their last three EPL contests, according to WhoScored.

With that said, Southampton remain an extremely stingy bunch defensively. Ryan Bertrand and Toby Alderweireld have turned out to be shrewd summer signings, and Nathaniel Clyne looks to be on track to be England's next right back. Saints have conceded a league-low 19 goals this season.

As for Arsenal, Manchester United and Spurs, all three of these defensive units continue to struggle and are inconsistent. Jan Vertonghen for Tottenham and Per Mertesacker for the Gunners have not seemed to have been their past selves, and United's crop of defenders looks more like a group of squad players than a group of first-teamers. Everyone, save Marcos Rojo and Paddy McNair, have been disappointing this season.

Manchester United's and Spurs' surrendering of two goals to Swansea and West Ham United over the weekend, respectively, will not do much to inspire confidence for the rest of the season. 

If either, or both of these teams come top-four, it will be despite their defenses and not because of them.

Midfield

Alastair Grant/Associated Press/Associated Press

Daley Blind has endeared himself to United fans with his strong play

Arsenal: Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Mathieu Flamini, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky

Manchester United: Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind, Angel Di Maria, Ashley Young, Adnan Januzaj, Juan Mata, Michael Carrick

Southampton: James Ward-Prowse, Victor Wanyama, Morgan Schneiderlin, Steven Davis, Eljero Elia, Dusan Tadic, Filip Djuricic

Liverpool: Alberto Moreno, Lazar Markovic, Jordon Ibe, Lucas Leiva, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, Adam Lallana

Spurs: Nabil Bentaleb, Ryan Mason, Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembele, Paulinho, Andros Townsend, Etienne Capoue

Out of these five teams, Arsenal are the least balanced in the midfield, as they often pack four attacking midfielders in front of human shield Francis Coquelin. When they're at their best, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla can produce magic, but their defensive ineptitudes are sometimes too much for the team to overcome.

For Southampton it has become a different story, as Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin offer defensive solidity, but the team has struggled recently to create chances. They have created a middle-of-the-road seventh-highest chances in the league (243, via Squawka), and they've scored only one goal in their last four EPL matches. It remains a wonder why Dusan Tadic doesn't get consistent game time as the team's leading assist man.

Liverpool and Spurs have both seen sort of rag-tag groups play impressively for them. For the Reds, Jordon Ibe and Alberto Moreno have impressed in wing-back roles, with Steven Gerrard performing well in an advanced role and Lucas Leiva serving as an immense defensive midfielder.

Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason have become an unlikely yet effective pair in the center of the Spurs midfield, and Nacer Chadli has a robust seven goals and five assists. Their reliance on Christian Eriksen, however, is worrying, as he has 27 more key passes than anyone else, via Squawka.

Manchester United might have the most impressive midfield on paper, but they haven't been nearly as impressive in practice. Daley Blind has adjusted to life in England well, while Angel Di Maria hasn't, and Ander Herrera hasn't really been given a fair crack despite impressive showings.

For now, United's midfield is a bit of an issue, but if Ander Herrera can get a consistent run of games, Marouane Fellaini continues to pester defenses with his solidity, and Angel Di Maria gradually ups his game, the Reds will really be a force to be reckoned with.

Attack

Jon Super/Associated Press/Associated Press

Wayne Rooney needs to be given a shot as a No. 9 again

Arsenal: Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck

Manchester United: James Wilson, Wayne Rooney, Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie

Southampton: Graziano Pelle, Sadio Mane, Shane Long

Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, Ricky Lambert, Fabio Borini, Mario Balotelli

Spurs: HARRY KANE (and also Roberto Soldado and Emanuel Adebayor)

Arsenal are the highest of this bunch in the EPL table right now, and that is not a huge surprise based on their array of attackers. Alexis Sanchez has 12 goals and seven assists, and Olivier Giroud has been in rich form as well, with eight goals in 15 appearances. Theo Walcott has returned from injury to add pace and finishing composure in front of net.

Liverpool were expected to replicate their fluid offense this season, and after a change in shape, it has finally returned. Raheem Sterling has been leading Brendan Rodgers' line for much of this season, with six goals and five assists. Philippe Coutinho has thrived in a free role just off the striker since his side's switch in formation, and Daniel Sturridge is a proven talent. It would help if Mario Balotelli continued his recent upward rise, too.

Manchester United and Southampton have seemed the most uncreative of these sides as of late. Radamel Falcao has not adjusted to the pace and physicality of the EPL for the Red Devils, while Robin van Persie's ability has fallen off a cliff.

For Saints, Graziano Pelle hasn't scored an EPL goal in over two months, but Sadio Mane has been a nice surprise. However, their current dry spell doesn't look good for their top-four hopes.

Spurs haven't necessarily looked short on goals, but that could be different if not for Harry Kane. The English striker has six goals in his last four games and has become a massive player for the club. He's a good player, but at some point he won't be able to do it all on his own. Goals from Christian Eriksen, Erik Lamela, and Nacer Chadli are needed.

Going back to the Red Devils, United have gone much of the season without using Wayne Rooney as a forward, despite his struggles in a midfield role, and haven't given much game time to youngster James Wilson. If they want to finish in the top four, maybe it's time for that to change. 

Stats and info via ESPNFC used in this slide.