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Premier League: Man United legend reveals his top four predictions

Rio Ferdinand, Arsenal
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The United icon backs his former club to finish the season in the top four.

Halfway into the 2021-22 Premier League campaign, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool are fighting a tight title race. Despite City’s eight-point clearance, it is still too soon for the other two sides to give up.

The fast spread of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 has made the competition even more unpredictable. The league officials have postponed several games, with teams often playing without some of their players.

Arsenal have been enjoying a great run lately, climbing their way to the fourth spot. However, Tottenham and Manchester United will be serious candidates to challenge Arsenal for their place.

Man United legend Rio Ferdinand believes United have the ability to leapfrog Arsenal and claim a Champions League spot.

“I’ve gone with my heart,” Ferdinand told BT Sport (via Metro). “Man United in the last four games, maybe their performances can be questioned at times but it’s a new person in charge, trying to implement his tactics etc.

“He hasn’t had time on the training pitch and I think that’ll improve and there’s scope to improve there, I think there will be.

“As much as there’s a bit of doom and gloom around the club in terms of performance, they’ve won three of their last four games and drawn the other.

“I think the run of games they’ve got will put them in a good place.”

United have shown significant signs of improvement under their new boss Ralf Rangnick. However, Ferdinand does not believe they can go as far as the top three.

“I think Liverpool would be my tip to rival Man City,” he added. “But I know it could only be two games they miss when [Mohamed] Salah and [Sadio] Mane go to the African Cup of Nations, but if they don’t win those two games then I think City have won it.

“10 wins on the bounce [for Man City], 30-plus goals and six conceded [in the last 10 games], that’s form that I don’t think anyone else is capable of achieving, so they’re my favourites.”

Following their 3-1 win over Burnley, United will face Wolves on Monday. The Red Devils are sitting behind West Ham on goal difference, but they have an additional game at hand.

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