Top four still a realistic target for Man United, insists Andy Cole

Andy Cole believes Manchester United still have a realistic chance of finishing in the top four this season.

The Red Devils, who didn’t play this weekend, are 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester City after suffering eight top-flight defeats already this season.

A top-four finish is still a realistic target

Andy Cole

United face a potentially tricky trip to West Bromwich Albion next weekend before welcoming high-flying Liverpool to Old Trafford in what could be a decisive game in their bid for a top-four finish.

And former striker Cole reckons David Moyes’s side should still believe that they can secure their place in next season’s Champions League with 11 Premier League games remaining.

“We need to win as many games as possible and a top-four finish is still a realistic target,” Cole told United’s website.

“For whatever reason, it has been a tough season. But all the top teams will try to get better and we need to stay with them next year.”

Last week, former United defender Gary Neville effectively ruled the Red Devils out of the race for a top-four finish.

“They’re making mistakes in most matches at the moment and unless they go on a ridiculous run and win every match and the teams above them implode, I don’t think they will get in the Champions League,” Neville told talkSPORT.

“If you said to the fans six months ago, Man United won’t get into the Champions League they would have been shell-shocked, but I think there is a realisation it would be a fantastic turnaround of incredible proportions if they were to get into the Champions League.

“They’ve resigned themselves to the fact they’re not going to be in it.”