Man Utd now on the brink of proving Gary Neville, Paul Merson and Alan Shearer wrong

A look at the pundits Manchester United could prove wrong should they secure a top four finish.
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Manchester United moved one step closer to proving pundits wrong even without playing in the Premier League over the weekend.

The Red Devils were in FA Cup action on Sunday, setting up an all-Manchester final with a penalty shootout win over Brighton. Meanwhile, Newcastle thrashed Tottenham 6-1 to pull the door a little more shut in the Premier League top four race.

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That result means Tottenham stay six points behind United despite playing two games more, and while Erik ten Hag’s men have dropped to fourth for now, their chances of landing a Champions league spot certainly increased.

Given the start to the season United had, a top four finish would be a solid achievement, especially if they can add an FA Cup to their Carabao Cup win. And if Ten Hag’s men do secure Champions League football, they would prove a Gary Neville, Paul Merson and Alan Shearer wrong.

“I think Man City, Liverpool and Tottenham will be the top three,” Neville told Sky Sports in September. “I think it’s a big battle between Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United. I think Liverpool, you think they are going to come good just because of what they have done in the last few years. I think United will struggle to get in the top four, personally.”

Elsewhere, Paul Merson told Sportskeeda: “It’s still early doors, but I think the Premier League top four this season will be Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in whatever order.

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“Chelsea will obviously have a thing or two to say, but we’ll have to wait and see how [Graham] Potter performs at Stamford Bridge. As for Manchester United, I don’t think they’ll make it because they still have a lot of work to do in terms of their squad.”

Last but not least, Match of the Day pundit Shearer also tipped the Red Devils to miss out.

“It has slightly changed from the beginning of the season,” he told ViaPlay earlier in the season. “But on the evidence I have seen from Manchester United and Chelsea, then I think Arsenal might sneak in there as well.”