Ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says he still expects his former club to finish in the top four despite Sunday’s defeat to West Ham.

The Red Devils are now just a point ahead of Liverpool in the table, but Ferdinand thinks that their kind fixture list will help get Erik ten Hag’s side over the line:

“I think Manchester United’s players will look at the fixtures, see three out of the four games are at home and take that and be quite confident. Listen, the form hasn’t been great of late but they’ve got to find it from somewhere now. That Old Trafford crowd has a big part to play but the players have to set the tone.”

“They haven’t been good enough in recent weeks so they’ve got to change that. Liverpool are hot on their heels and I think they will win their last three games to put the pressure on. But I think Manchester United will just do enough to get in the top four, I’ll be very surprised if they don’t.”

As Ferdinand points out, United have three of their final four matches at home, including matches versus Wolves, Chelsea and Fulham. With all of those clubs being in mid-table, they really have nothing to play for, so you would hope ten Hag’s men will be able to get the points they need.

Of course, they really shouldn’t be in this position, considering how far they were ahead of Liverpool until recently but, after consecutive losses, United need to dust themselves down and ensure they do what’s required in order to secure Champions League football for next season.