Roy Keane has made a confident prediction on the top four race in the Premier League with a definitive verdict on his former club Manchester United.
The former United captain was speaking after watching Ralf Rangnick’s side record an impressive 4-2 victory at Leeds United as they consolidated their place in the top four.
The Red Devils are now four points clear of fifth-placed West Ham and Arsenal, but the Gunners have three matches in hand.
Wolves are two points further back with two games in hand over United, while Tottenham are seven points off Rangnick’s side but have played three games fewer.
With such an imbalance in games played, it is tricky to judge which side holds the advantage, but the top four race appears to be heating up with five sides in the frame for the final spot.
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United are best-positioned in terms of points and position while their home defeat to Wolves in early January is their only defeat in 17 matches since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left the club.
The club have their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid to look forward to as they still have plenty to play for in the remaining months of the campaign.
When quizzed on whether United would be able to kick-on from recent victories and record a top four finish, if not better, Keane was confident in his response.
“I think United will be fine for fourth, I really do,” Keane claimed.
“There has been a lot of noise about players wanting to leave or contract situations with (Paul) Pogba or Jesse Lingard, but they just need to focus on the next few months as they are big for the club.
“They have to try and get that top four spot and they have a big European match coming up – focus on that and your games.
“Then you have a chance to regroup in the summer regarding obviously the manager and they will be looking at recruitment.
“They need to keep their heads, keep focused and show the quality, like they did today, and they should be ok.”
United visit Atletico Madrid in Wednesday’s second leg of their Round of 16 tie in the Champions League before returning to league action on Saturday against struggling Watford at Old Trafford.
They then have a hugely challenging run of fixtures which starts with an away match at Manchester City before games against Tottenham, Liverpool and Leicester City.
A top four spot and a prolonged run in the Champions League would add a degree of respectability to a hugely difficult and challenging campaign for United.
