Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Everton moved them clear of Liverpool and Chelsea in the Premier League table.
Jamie Carragher admits that Manchester look almost guaranteed to secure one of the berths in the race for Champions League qualification.
Liverpool sit sixth in the Premier League table with 11 games remaining. The last-gasp 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last weekend moved them level on points with Chelsea, who were held to a 1-1 draw against Burnley.
But Manchester United moved three points clear of both the Reds and Chelsea after beating Everton 1-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
And with no European football and having exited the FA Cup, Carragher believes that United are in the driving seat as they have no distractions. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender said: “I think Manchester United are virtually a guarantee. Aston Villa are dropping points and have still got European football so a lot of Thursday-Sunday. Liverpool and Chelsea have got the Champions League and FA Cup and will want to do well in at least one of those competitions, at least a semi-final or final.
“I can’t see Manchester United not making it... mind games! No, I do believe that.”
Gary Neville also reckons that his former club United have a better chance of claiming a Champions League berth than Liverpool. Neville also reckons that Aston Villa, third in the table but drew against Leeds United last time out, could see their position slip.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, the ex-England international said: “They have got an incredible opportunity to finish in the top four. I think they will. The other teams are playing in Europe, they have got distractions, United haven't.I just think they are now starting to get over the line in games when they wouldn't have done before.
“I think they could finish third, I really do. I said a couple of weeks ago, I think Villa might get pulled back a little bit. They are in a decent place. They are winning when they play well, winning when they don't play well, picking up points when they don't play well like at West Ham.
“All the right things are starting to happen. They've hit a really good run. I do think they'll finish third or fourth. This is just a bizarre season. Chelsea dropped points, Vila dropped points, Liverpool did win in the end. I think United get there now. It will be a big move to get into the Champions League and where they were a few weeks ago. It's been an incredible points total and they are now in pole position.”
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