Pundits debate between Arsenal and Man United in top-four race
Gary Neville still thinks Man United will make the top four – but insists they have ‘GOT to beat Tottenham next week’, while Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp think Champions League spot is Arsenal’s to lose
- Arsenal jumped into fourth with their 3-2 victory away at Watford on Sunday
- They are ahead of Manchester United who collapsed in a 4-1 defeat to Man City
- Arsenal also have the advantage of having three games in hand over United
- Gary Neville and Roy Keane still feel United have a chance of making top-four
Sky Sports pundits have agreed that the race to finish in the top-four is likely to come down to between Arsenal and Manchester United.
The Gunners jumped into the final Champions League spot with their 3-2 victory over Watford, as United collapsed in a 4-1 defeat to local rivals Man City.
Arsenal are now in pole position to make the top four as they are one point clear of United with three games in hand.
Arsenal jumped into the top four after their 3-2 victory away at Watford on Sunday
Manchester United have slipped to fifth this weekend after their 4-1 defeat to Man City
Former United stars Roy Keane and Gary Neville though believe United still have a chance of obtaining qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Keane said after the Manchester derby: ‘If Man United don’t finish in the top four it’s going to be even harder to attract a top manager.
If you’d have said a few months ago Arsenal could finish ahead of Man United, you would have been locked up. Amazing, a big turnaround for them, but United could still do it.’
Neville pointed out United’s next fixture against Tottenham as a hugely significant game.
Spurs also have three games-in-hand over United but are five points down on the Red Devils.
Gary Neville believes United need to beat Tottenham next week to keep their hopes alive
He said: ‘I still think United could do it (get fourth place). I don’t trust Arsenal fully. Manchester United have still got to go to Arsenal, there’s a long way to go.
Neville said that ‘United have got to beat Tottenham next week,’ to which Keane replied: ‘It’s only Spurs.’
The former United right-back then added: They’ve got Conte as manager though.’
The other two pundits though now feel Arsenal will finish in the top four.
Micah Richards said: ‘Arsenal have got momentum, it’s all about momentum at this point.
Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp (right) both believe Arsenal are now in control of the top-four race
‘Watching Man United, I don’t think it’s as bad as we’re going on – I saw something in that first half. Arsenal have got the games in hand so if I was to pick (fourth place) right now it’d be Arsenal.’
Jamie Redknapp praised the Gunners and even suggested they should be looking up at third-placed Chelsea.
He said: ‘I’ve watched an Arsenal team that are fast, hungry, scoring goals, and they did it without (Emile) Smith Rowe.
‘Then I watched United, they’ve got to pick themselves up to get into this race.
‘Mikel Arteta has been brilliant. I thought this season they might go under but it just shows if you stick with someone, give them time, he’s done a really good job and (in the race for fourth place) it’s Arsenal’s to lose.
‘They’ve played a game less than Chelsea in third and are only five points behind.’
Share this article
Source: Read Full Article