Manchester United great Roy Keane believes a win for his former club at Manchester City is paramount to their chances of finishing in the top four.
While neighbours City are still leading the way at the top of the table, United are embroiled in a four-way tussle for the fourth and final Champions League place with West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham. United currently occupy the spot but Arsenal could overtake them before they take to the field at the Etihad if the Gunners defeat Watford in the day's early kick-off; they lead 2-1 at the time of writing.
West Ham lost ground on Saturday as they were dealt a 1-0 defeat by Liverpool, while Spurs don't play until Monday night when they take on Everton. Antonio Conte's side are currently five points off United but have two games in hand.
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Qualifying for Europe's top competition is vital for United's summer recruitment hopes, for players as well as their new permanent manager. And Keane thinks that unless United defeat the Blues on Sunday, then they can look forward to Thursday nights next season instead.
"Man United need to get a result here to get into the top four, that’s how far behind they are the top teams," Keane said on Sky Sports ahead of the match. "Coming to Man City, they’ve shown over the last couple of years they can come here and get a result, they would’ve been encouraged by Spurs coming here.
"Everton last week, they weren’t great. United for all their troubles are more than capable of coming here, no doubt on the counter-attack and getting a result because they themselves need to get into the top four.
"I think it’ll be another two or three years, as long as they get the manager right," he added when asked how long he thinks it will take for United to start winning trophies again.
"You need someone with a big personality to come in like a Klopp, like a Guardiola, the next manager needs to come in and get a grip of the club. Who that man is, I don’t know but they have to get the next manager right."
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