Manchester United icon and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville reckons his former club can secure a top six finish this season. The Red Devils claimed a 2-1 triumph at Liverpool on Sunday to register their first Anfield success since January 2016. It marked the first time United have managed consecutive Premier League victories since manager Ruben Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford in November 2024.
Sunday’s crucial three points on Merseyside have lifted Amorim’s squad to ninth in the Premier League standings – just two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool. There will now be optimism at Old Trafford that their triumph over reigning English champions Liverpool can spark them into life after what has been a challenging spell under Amorim thus far.
Neville has expressed his belief that qualifying for Europe remains achievable for United’s squad this campaign – proposing that a top-six finish should be the objective. “They’ve just gone into the top half of the table, to ninth, and I think if they win next week, they’ve got to start thinking of pushing up the league,” he told the Gary Neville Podcast.
“Because they’ve got to get to a point whereby there’s stability at the club, the only way there’s going to be stability is through winning football matches.
“I think Manchester United have got a top six squad, particularly when you know that they haven’t got European football, and they haven’t got the Carabao Cup now.
“If you look at the four or five players they’ve got up front in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount, and Bruno Fernandes behind them.
“And then the centre-backs they’ve got – Leny Yoro, Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, they should be able to get a top six finish with the free weeks out of that squad.”
Neville reckons United must carry Sunday’s stunning triumph into their upcoming fixture – a home encounter with Brighton and Hove Albion next Saturday.
“This is a complete turnaround game,” he said. “I thought if United lose here, which they were more than likely to do when I saw the team sheet, I’m thinking Ruben Amorim is going into that Brighton game under real pressure with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham to come.
“They’ve secured a vital launching pad from their efforts, because triumphing at Anfield remains extraordinary in any campaign, conquering this venue represents the toughest challenge.
“They ought to feel immense pride as it constitutes a massive accomplishment, yet they must build momentum from this point. So it’s a great day for Manchester United, but let’s see it again next Saturday night against Brighton.”
