Manchester United currently sit six points from fourth-placed Tottenham with seven games to go in the race for the top four.
The club have massively underperformed this season and are now big outsiders in the race for the final Champions League spot. United still have Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool to play amid arguably one of the toughest run-ins.
Arsenal seemed destined for a fourth spot finish going into the international break last month. But defeats to Crystal Palace and Brighton have since allowed an in-form Tottenham side to leapfrog them by three points, having played a game more but with a greater goal difference.
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But former England international John Barnes believes Ralf Rangnick's side still have a chance of grabbing that coveted fourth position. Barnes has explained how the lack of predictability already shown by those in the race for the Champions League could pave the way for a late push.
“Because of Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham’s inconsistency they could still finish fourth in the league, but they must find a way to get back into the top three,” he told BonusCodeBets. “Despite their current predicament, there is no way that Manchester United could slip into mid-table obscurity.
“They may not finish in the top four, but they won’t finish lower than seventh. However, it’s likelier that they will probably finish between fourth and sixth.”
Barnes believes United must first consolidate themselves as Champions League regulars again before worrying about any kind of title charge. He added: “The idea of being in the top four for every club other than Manchester City or Liverpool means third or fourth.
“Manchester United need to consistently nail down fourth place before worrying about third or the top two. A team like Manchester United really should be challenging the top two.”
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