Gary Neville gives verdict on whether Manchester United will qualify for next season’s Champions League

Manchester United have had the very definition of a mixed start to the Premier League season.

With four wins and four defeats from eight Premier League games, Manchester United sit tenth, slap bang in the middle of the Premier League table.

However, due to yesterday’s results, United are just six points behind Manchester City and face Pep Guardiola’s side at the end of this month.

Things aren’t fully lost yet and the hope will be that after United’s dramatic late win over Brentford, this could be the season’s kickstarter, similar to last season’s victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Top four has to be the aim now for Erik ten Hag’s side but a former United player seemingly doesn’t think that is possible for the Red Devils. Or even the top five.

Neville on United’s prospects for the season

The former United right-back made a rather bold prediction for Ten Hag’s side after an indifferent start to the season.

“I don’t think Manchester United will finish in the top five this season,” Neville said. “‘I think they are way off it.

“And I’m surprised because seven or eight weeks ago, I had them third, But honestly from what I see at the moment, I don’t think the goalkeeper is settled in, I think he should have saved the one yesterday so that is a problem.

‘”If your goalkeeper is not settled in and there is a bit of instability around that, it does create a big problem. I’ve had that at United. So United, not for me”.

Is Neville right
The former Manchester United right-back has certainly been critical of the Red Devils this season and Neville also believes that Chelsea may have a better chance of Champions League football than United.

Despite Chelsea seemingly coming into a bit of good form, it seems all the goodwill garnered by Ten Hag finishing third last season has now gone.

United are still better placed than Chelsea to qualify for the Champions League and the hope will be that this win could be the moment that the Red Devils have been waiting for.