Manchester United legend and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville is not at all optimistic the Red Devils will end up in the Premier League top four following a lackluster performance against Leicester City at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils squared off with the Foxes yesterday with a four-point deficit to fourth-placed Arsenal, having played a game more but were unfortunate in their inability to surmount the Gunners and are now staring at the gloomy prospect of trailing further behind in their pursuit of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners could now realistically advance six points ahead of them for fourth place with a victory at Crystal Palace tomorrow. Speaking on Saturday Night Football on Sky Sports, Neville acknowledged that United’s top-four hopes are pretty much over.
He said: “I think so. The run-in started today following the international break. They had to start it with a win but they didn’t get it. It was the way they drew the game – that was really bad out there today.”
“Sometimes, teams can look a bit rusty when they come back but I thought the break would work for United as I thought it would be good for players to get away from the club and then come back and give it a right go.
“This is going to be a long two months for those United players and fans. It’s going to be difficult in their remaining eight matches if they continue in that vein of form. It was so flat.”
The Gunners are currently in pole position in the pursuit of the final Champions League spot, especially with United having dropped their guard and abetted them with their stale performance against Leicester. Although Arteta’s side are only three points ahead, the margin could rise further with two games in hand.
United have yet to face the Gunners on the road and will surely be in need of help when they do so.