Rio Ferdinand has predicted that Manchester United will finish in the top four of the Premier League despite their recent deflating defeat to relegation-battlers West Ham. The 1-0 loss leaves Manchester United fourth in the Premier League – one point above Liverpool, who have played one game more. Ferdinand expects Jurgen Klopp’s side to maintain their winning run until the end of the season but doubts even that will be enough to overtake Manchester United, who play at home in three of their four remaining games. Ex-England striker Peter Crouch also expects United to ‘hang on’ to the final Champions League spot at the expense of Liverpool and Brighton.
Newcastle are two points above Manchester United in third but failed to extend their lead over their top-four rivals after losing 2-0 to Arsenal earlier in the day. ‘Liverpool have given themselves a decent chance and a few months ago you would have said they were out of the race,’ Crouch said. ‘They’re back in the equation now and I do think Liverpool win their remaining games. But I also think Man United will do enough. I think Liverpool and Brighton have a little too much to do so I see United hanging on.’
Manchester United have largely impressed since Erik ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford last summer, winning the Carabao Cup and climbing into the top-four places. But a gruelling campaign – United have now played 57 matches this season – appears to be taking its toll on the squad. Following the 1-0 defeat in east London, Ten Hag said: ‘In this season we had some terrible setbacks and every time we bounced back so once again we show the character and go on.’