Ray Parlour explains how Manchester United can still secure top-four finish

Former Arsenal star Ray Parlour has told Manchester United what they have to do to secure Champions League slots for the next season. The Red Devils are precariously placed at the seventh position in the Premier League points table. They look highly unlikely to finish in the top-four this season.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, the sports pundit explained:

“They've still got a chance for top four, Spurs are in pole position now for 4th place. But if they can get 3-4 wins in a row, Manchester United, which they're capable of doing, then they'll put themselves back in with a chance for top four.

He added:

"It's just the consistency is not there for Manchester United. You don't know what Man United team are going to turn up. Football wise and commitment, I'm amazed sometimes, you're playing for Manchester United, one of the greatest clubs in the world, you've got to show a bit more desire if you put that Man United shirt on."

The Red Devils have had a rather sub-par season which currently sees them dwindling outside the top six spots. Although they finished the last season in the second place, while revamping their squad with new players in the summer transfer window, United have faltered this time.

A series of managers have been in charge at Old Trafford, but the club are yet to announce a permanent manager to take the reins and rebuild the struggling outfit. With just 51 points from 30 games, the Red Devils have stumbled consistently with poor defensive performances, losing seven games and drawing nine.

They have already been kicked out of the Champions League, as well as the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. United will need to find consistency as the season draws to a close, winning as many of their remaining eight games as possible.

Manchester United are winning race to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: Reports

According to Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the Red Devils are, seemingly, ahead in the race to secure Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's signature for next season.

It is believed that Lazio are looking to offload the 27-year-old, and United, who have been linked with him in the past, are the front-runners to sign him.

With Paul Pogba linked with an exit from Old Trafford, the Red Devils need an immediate replacement, and the Lazio star could strengthen their midfield.

Other midfielders like Declan Rice have been linked with a move to United, but Milinkovic-Savic looks like the likeliest option if reports are to be believed.

About the author

Nnanna is a European and international football journalist who has been covering news and transfer rumors at Sportskeeda for around 5 years. A keen interest in reading and football since an early age, watching games at local stadiums with family paved the way for him to take up the sport professionally.

Nnanna’s favorite club is English team Bolton Wanderers because he witnessed Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha's play for them between 2002 and 2006. His favorite footballer is Ronaldinho due to the Brazilian's love for the sport and admires Pep Guardiola for redefining football tactics. As a former literature student, Nnanna reckons that the best way of connecting with the readers is to add a bit of empathy in his writing, and relies on trusted websites like Transfermarkt and WhoScored for his articles.

Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup trophy in 2022 is Nnanna’s favorite FIFA World Cup moment, and also follows Major League Soccer due to the diminutive Argentine. He strongly believes that Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland could be the next two superstars in the same light as legendary pair Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

When not writing, he likes to play Football Manager and other simulation games.

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