‘Shooting themselves in the foot’ — Gary Neville makes Man United top four verdict and talks Newcastle chances

Manchester United can almost taste their top four finish, they just need to avoid any major slip ups in these final three matches. As it stands, they are in fourth place, one point ahead of Liverpool, but with a crucial game in-hand.

The Red Devils are also tied with Newcastle United, who are also desperate to secure Champions League football next season. The two sides have a lot of pressure on their shoulders and pundits have weighed in on whether they will successfully see the mission out or not.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football after Liverpool’s win over Leicester City, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher gave their verdicts on how the final top four will look.

“[Newcastle] have been one of the teams I’ve looked forward to watching, they’ve been outstanding,” Carragher said. “Even when they drop points it’s not necessarily they play badly they just drop points. But I think that Brighton game [on Thursday] is absolutely huge and if they drop points in that I think there will be a big worry.”

Neville also believes Newcastle have the most to do to ensure they finish inside the top four this season. The Man United legend has tipped the Magpies to miss out after they lost 2-0 to Arsenal and drew 2-2 with Leeds last time out.

“That’s not me being overconfident, but I think I’d be more comfortable if I was United than Newcastle looking at it with the games.

“I’ve always expected Liverpool to go on this run and finish in top four. I actually thought Newcastle would drop off before this but they’ve been sensational. I thought Man United would get in the top four so it’d be harsh on Newcastle if they didn’t and obviously United have comfortable games there.

“They’ve got a team near the bottom of the league and two games at home so they’ll be shooting themselves in the foot if they don’t get in the top four.”

With Liverpool breathing down their necks, Man United and Newcastle need to bank as many points as possible between now and the end of the season. Both teams are currently level on 66 points each, so they can afford to draw or lose one match, as Liverpool can finish with a maximum of 71 points.

Should either team draw two of their remaining fixtures, the nervous game of goal difference will come into play. As it stands, Liverpool have a far superior goal difference over Man United with +28 to their +10, while Newcastle are on +32.

Eddie Howe and his men will face Brighton, Leicester and Chelsea in their last run, while Man United are up against Bournemouth, Chelsea and finally Fulham.