Jermaine Jenas: Why Man United have zero chance of top-four finish

Jermaine Jenas says Manchester United have zero chance of finishing in the Premier League’s top four this season.

The Red Devils have lost their last three games in the Premier League ahead of the visit of Chelsea on Monday evening following losses to Bournemouth, Norwich City and Stoke City.

It’s a team in decline, and this will be obvious to the people that matter at Old Trafford

Jermaine Jenas

Louis van Gaal has been facing increased speculation surrounding his Old Trafford future in recent weeks, particularly after Chelsea sacked Jose Mourinho.

Former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jenas explained why the 20-time English champions won’t trouble the Premier League’s top-four spots.

“Not only are they out of the Champions League, they haven’t been playing good football all season,” Jenas told Yahoo Sport.

“The one thing Van Gaal has been able to hold on to is that United have been in the top four, mainly because they weren’t conceding goals. But when you look at them now, they look like a side that has zero chance of finishing in the top four.

“They have no cutting edge, no confidence and no real leaders on the pitch. It’s a team in decline, and this will be obvious to the people that matter at Old Trafford. I just don’t see a way out for Van Gaal.”

Van Gaal was appointed as David Moyes’s permanent successor in May 2014 before the Dutchman led Netherlands to a third-place finish in the World Cup.

The 20-time English champions haven’t won any silverware under Van Gaal, although the 64-year-old did guide United to a top-four finish last season.

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United have also been linked with Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola.