Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have made their predictions for the Premier League after the opening round of fixtures, but didn't agree on where Manchester United will finish up
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher gesticulate
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher didn't see eye-to-eye in their predictions for Manchester United
(Image: Sky Sports Premier League / YouTube)
Gary Neville grew frustrated with Jamie Carragher after asking him where Manchester United would finish this season, claiming that he was lying with his predictions.
After making the bold assertion that his former club will finish fourth this season during a segment with Sky Sports Premier League, Neville turned to Carragher to ask where he sees the Red Devils ending up. The Liverpool legend said: "I would see a European contender," before Neville dubbed him a "bottle merchant" for not giving an exact position.
When Carragher clarified that he sees United finishing either seventh or eighth in the league standings, Neville lambasted his fellow pundit and claimed he was lying. He said: "You think they're going to be eighth?
"You don't think they're eighth and I know you don't, because I know you. I know your facials very well. You don't believe Manchester United after yesterday are finishing eighth."
Carragher then replied: "I think the best they can get is Europa League. They're getting nowhere near Champions League. Sixth, seventh, in the mix for that."
Hoping to get an actual number out of Carragher's rather than a scattered forecast, Neville once again asked: "What's your position? You can't just say..." before Carragher replied: "Well, what's Europa League? So is Champions League top five? Could be top five, could be top four.
Ruben Amorim looks on
Amorim is expected to deliver a better season(Image: Getty Images)
"Let's say it's top five like last season. I don't see them getting Champions League, so they could be six, seven, eight. One of those positions."
Wide-eyed and with his hand on his forehead in visible frustration, Neville then said: "Oh my God, what position is it?" for one last time. Thankfully, he managed to get a straight answer out of his fellow pundit that time round, with Carragher responding: "Seventh. We'll do it in the middle. We'll call them seventh."
It comes as the Red Devils suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in their Premier League opener at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Riccardo Calafiori meeting the ball at the back post from a corner to win the game for the Gunners.
Gary Neville has made the same prediction about Arsenal for three years running
Neville believes United can finish in the top four this season(Image: Robert Smith/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
However, it is hoped that Ruben Amorim's squad overhaul this summer will pay dividends in the long run. The Portuguese tactician could only muster a dismal 15th-place finish in the standings last season with the squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag.
As a result of backing Amorim with funds and allowing him a full pre-season tour to prepare, the United board will expect better performances from the team this term. The Red Devils have already spent more than £200million on the likes of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. They may still be set to welcome more fresh faces before the window comes to a close on September 1.
Their next test is against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday as they aim to get their first Premier League points of the season on the board.