Owen disagrees with Keane and two pundits on Man United’s top four hopes

Manchester United great Roy Keane has ‘no doubt’ that his former club will finish in the top four this season.

In what was a near-perfect weekend for the Old Trafford giants, Ralf Rangnick and his team earned a dramatic last-gasp victory over surprise package West Ham on Saturday afternoon and watched their fellow Champions League hopefuls Arsenal and Tottenham drop points 24 hours later.

Marcus Rashford secured the points for United as they occupy fourth spot during this international break.

Arsenal and Tottenham have one and two games in hand respectively in what is shaping up to be an intense race.

Keane and several other pundits think United and their strength in depth will prove too strong – but while he is not ruling Champions League qualification out, Michael Owen is yet to be fully convinced.

Here are the predictions made by those two and other big-name pundits;

Michael Owen

In an analysis piece for Premier League Productions, the former United striker said: “In general under Ralf Rangnick, United have played averagely and they’ve got a lot of good results. But when you break it down a little bit more in depth, they’ve had a really friendly run of games.

“There will be acid tests ahead against some of the big boys.

“I thought West Ham were going to give them a big challenge. They did. They’ll be very frustrated that they didn’t take anything out of the game. But, as they say, results are the most important thing and that keeps them in there in the hunt for the top four.”

Roy Keane

During his latest appearance on Super Sunday for Sky Sports, the Irishman said: “Without a doubt. The strength in depth that Man United have got. West Ham are doing well, Arsenal have probably got a slightly better squad.

“Tottenham, the starting XI is decent, but XI players is not enough. It’s the squad of players that get you over the line. The next few months, there’ll be injuries, suspensions, international games, whatever it might be. That’s when you need the squad like Man United showed [on Saturday].

“It’s where West Ham might come up short and, certainly, where Tottenham will come up short.”

Jamie Carragher

While several pundits have changed their tune as Rangnick continues to make his mark, the ex-Liverpool man said he thought United would clinch top four at the height of their struggles in November.

Shortly after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked, Carragher said: “I think this guy is coming in, Ralf Rangnick, will make sure United get in the Champions League next season.”

Jamie Redknapp

Sitting alongside Keane and Burton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on the Sky Sports panel, Redknapp continued: “I’ve got to agree with them. I think Man United are the favourites. I do.

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“Arsenal seem to be running out of steam. It was a bad result for them midweek and a poor result against Burnley, but Tottenham with those games in hand, as well. If they can get a couple of players in they are going to be in the mix.

“Put it this way. Man United with their squad should finish in the top-four. If they don’t, that’s another poor season for them. They’ve finished second last season and they’ve got to finish in the top four.”

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