'Definitely positives' - Roy Keane predicts where Manchester United could finish this season
Man Utd are seventh in the Premier League table after their narrow defeat to Aston Villa
Roy Keane believes Manchester United could qualify for the Champions League this season despite their 'concerns' in defence.
United sit seventh in the Premier League table after their 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend but are still only three points behind Chelsea in fourth-place. They are back in action when they host Newcastle at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, a game in which they are expected to be without both Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.
There were plenty of positives to take from the manner of their spirited performance at Villa Park, in which Morgan Rogers netted to stunning goals to secure three points. United were without seven first-team players for the match and might have won if not for poor individual displays from Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte.
Roy Keane makes United prediction
Roy Keane is still confident Manchester United could achieve their target of a top-six finish this season as they aim to qualify for Europe by the end of the campaign. Whether they do so could be impacted by their injuries and if they manage to add players to their squad in the January transfer window.
Speaking ahead of the match at Villa Park, Keane was asked for his verdict on United's season and where they might be able to finish under Ruben Amorim. "There's definitely positives going forward for Man Utd, last year they were barely scoring a goal a game," he told Sky Sports.
"This year, it looks like it's about two goals a game. They're a better package going forward, clearly. The concern is defensively, the goals they're giving up and the chances. The teams against Man Utd seem to create chances very easily - one or two passes and they're in on top of the goalkeeper.
"You'd think Villa will get a bit of joy on the back of Man Utd's midfield, and their back three, back five. But saying that, their attacking players can cause Villa problems too. It could be anything today.
"You look at the table, and they have the potential still to have a very, very good season, getting into the top four or five. They just have to tighten up at the back."
Manchester United player ratings: 3/10 'dreadful' and 'careless' 4/10 struggle in Aston Villa defeat - gallery