Former Manchester United's right-back turned pundit Gary Neville shared his opinion on the Red Devils' chances of clinching a UEFA Champions League spot next season. While acknowledging that his former side have a top-four race in their hands, he stressed that top-four contenders "have turned the corner" after making it back-to-back wins following their late victory over Nottingham Forest on Friday night.
Eddie Howe's Newcastle United haven't won a single match in the last two months but have managed a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton and recently a 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest at City Ground.
Former Manchester United's right back believes Eddie Howe's side picked up form at the right time of the season while stressing that Manchester United will be missing the services of Casemiro, who will not be available for their next four matches as he will be serving his four-match ban following his red card against Southampton last weekend.
"United will be without Casemiro in the next four matches, which will make a big difference, and Newcastle are now in a position where they can make a good push," Neville said after Newcastle's victory.
"This is the time to hit form, but there's still a long way to go." Eddie Howe won't be getting carried away, but he will feel more confident after the last few days. "It's a really tough run-in for Newcastle."
"Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, and other clubs have had disappointing seasons." "What I like about Newcastle is that it's been a measured transition in the way they chose their manager and brought players in."
"There are some pretty solid characters in that dressing room." "They've got a great chance."
"I'm stunned as to where they are this season," he added. "I thought they would be seventh or eighth." Well done to Eddie Howe, well done to the players, and it looks like they've just turned a corner. Isak is on a roll. He's really important to them. "Callum Wilson is going to struggle to get on the team," he asserted.
Evidently in games without the 31 year old former Real Madrid mid fielder, Manchester United have always struggled to make a mark, stats also proves that they have a better winning rate when Casemiro is on the pitch but Manchester United's manager Erik Ten Hag didn't concur with Gary Neville's conclusion during his press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of the Red Devils' quarterfinal tie with Fulham in the Emirates FA Cup on Sunday evening.
"We have already had many more games without Casemiro," Erik Ten Hag countered the notion of Manchester United struggling in the Brazilian's absence.
"We did really well without Casemiro against Arsenal and the two against Leeds." I think we also did really well without Casemiro at the start of the season. "But I want to have Casemiro available because he has a huge impact on our game."
Erik Ten Hag went ahead to acknowledge that Casemiro has been dishing out outstanding performances when he played, but stated there are other players who can step up in the 31-year-old's absence.
"Yes, but as I said, we have also won many games without Casemiro." So he’s not available, and then we have to do it with other players. "And it’s about the 11, or let’s say the squad, to win this [game]," he explained.
Although Manchester United have a game in hand, they are sitting third on the Premier League table with 50 points, with Tottenham Hotspur trailing them by five points, while Newcastle's win draws them closer to Antonio Conte's men with just a point behind the North London club. However, the Mapgies are one win away from catching up with Erik Ten Hag's side on points.
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