Paul Merson has backtracked on his pre-season prediction for the Premier League top four - but still can’t find room for Manchester United.
Under Erik ten Hag, the Red Devils got off to the worst possible start, losing their opening two league encounters, including a thrashing at the hands of Brentford. But since then, United have won four games in a row, beating Liverpool and Arsenal in the process.
Despite that upturn in form, Merson believes it will be Tottenham and Arsenal who join Manchester City and Liverpool in next season’s Champions League.
That differs from his verdict before a ball was kicked, when he tipped Chelsea - under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel would make the top four. Since then, the Blues have sacked Tuchel, swiftly replacing him with Brighton boss Graham Potter.
“Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea pick themselves as the top three in whatever order and I’d be shocked if anything else were to happen,” he said back in July. He also claimed that United would miss out due to their lack of transfer activity at the time.
“I’ll put Manchester United in the reckoning for a place in the top four because they are a massive club, but they haven’t done enough business at this point in time to stand a chance of securing UEFA Champions League football.”
Since that initial prediction, United spent big, bringing in Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Antony at a combined cost of around £200million. But despite that spree the Sky Sports pundit believes United will still be on the outside looking in come the end of the season.
“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,” Merson told Sportskeeda.
At this early stage of the season, United find themselves ahead of Liverpool and just three points off the top of the table, but Merson remains to be convinced by them - even after their recent run of positive results.
He added: “Chelsea will obviously have a thing or two to say, but we’ll have to wait and see how 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.
“They’ve won four league games in a row, including victories against Liverpool and Arsenal, but I’m yet to be convinced by them. Arsenal are good and I believe they are in there for the long run, while I’m still backing Liverpool to turn it around in the coming weeks to secure a UEFA Champions League spot.”
Ten Hag saw his side’s momentum halted in midweek when they were beaten by Real Sociedad in their Europa League opener. Following the postponement of domestic action, their next game is with Sheriff Tiraspol in Moldova, before facing Leeds United, although there has yet to be official confirmation on whether matches will be played next weekend.
