Wayne Rooney believes Man United will MISS OUT on top-four finish due to their inconsistency… as Rio Ferdinand warns Erik ten Hag’s side it will be a ‘different story’ against Liverpool if they don’t improve on Everton win
- Manchester United beat Everton after two first-half penalties on Saturday
- The Red Devils face an uphill challenge of finishing inside the top-four
- CHRIS SUTTON and IAN LADYMAN give their title predictions (finally!) – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United won’t finish inside the top-four due to their inconsistent performances this season.
The United legend was speaking after they beat another one of his former sides, Everton, 2-0 in the early kick-off on Saturday.
However, the result comes after back-to-back losses against Fulham and Manchester City, and they are eight points off Aston Villa who face fifth-placed Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.
Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports suggested that United ‘will be wanting a draw’ in the game between Spurs and Villa, while Joleon Lescott said that a ‘club of this stature should not be in this situation’ and that it should be in their ‘own hands.
Rooney in response told his punditry colleagues that United are too inconsistent and are conceding too many chances to make the top-four.
Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United will fail to make it into the top-four this season
Rooney believes his former side’s inconsistent performances will hurt their chances
United beat Everton 2-0 and play Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals next week
He said: ‘It’s not sustainable and that’s what we have seen in the season. I don’t think they will make top four because they have to win every game, they are inconsistent and I can’t see them winning every game.
‘They are conceding too many chances, it is too easy for teams to get opportunities.’
Erik ten Hag’s side now have until next Sunday to prepare for their next game, a FA Cup quarter final clash with rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.
Despite taking three points against Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off, Ferdinand warned that United can’t be so sloppy on the ball when they face top-of-the-table Liverpool next week.
He said: ‘You cannot keep doing that at this level. They are not a team that dominates the ball.
‘They play like that against Liverpool, that open, the spaces around Casemiro, it will be a different story.’
United scored both of their goals against Everton from the penalty spot, through Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
Rio Ferdinand said it will be a ‘different story’ if United repeat their performance in the win over Everton when they host Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side next week
Erik ten Hag’s side could still qualify for the Champions League if they finish in fifth – depending on how English teams perform in Europe for the rest of this season
Before the game Rooney said he didn’t have much sympathy for Rashford’s struggles this season.
He said Rashford is the ‘one player’ who could break his scoring record at Old Trafford, but that he could need a move away from the club to get his career back on track.
Man United could still make the Champions League if they finish fifth this season, depending on how English sides perform in European competitions this campaign.
