Gary Neville believes Manchester United have a “great chance” to finish the season in the top four, after their gutsy home win against West Ham yesterday.
As reported in The Mail, Neville praised the United team spirit developed under Ten Hag and feels it could be enough to secure a Champions League place for next season.
Neville expressed his views when discussing the top four’s run on SKy Sports, after United’s victory.
“I think now they have a great chance to finish in the top four. A great opportunity. he said.
He went on to say that United should be encouraged by the lack of form and consistency shown by the clubs they will need to finish ahead of, if they are to secure their ticket back to Europe’s top table.
“I think there is enough in Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs for United to feel they can get past that group.”
Neville admitted he did not expect to see United in this situation after their disastrous start to the campaign and praised the team spirit that Erik ten Hag has created.
“I never would have thought that four or five weeks ago. But to be fair, they have something going on under Ten Hag that is giving them great spirits.” he said.
It has certainly been a turnaround for United, for whom the top four seemed a million miles away after the first two games.
But with just one Premier League loss since then and impressive wins against top-tier opponents along the way, Ten Hag’s methods are starting to pay off.
Yesterday’s victory was secured by both his staunch defense of his box and Marcus Rashford’s bullet headed goal, which in itself underlines the desire the new manager has instilled.
Attitude and commitment have vastly improved over the last two months, with United showing the courage and determination to turn narrow leads into wins.
United will be looking to finish their pre-World Cup schedule with maximum points from their last two league games, away to Aston Villa and Fulham respectively.
