Ian Wright has laid his cards on the table over who will finish fourth in the Premier League between Manchester United and Arsenal.
And before United fans howl at the injustice, speaking on his own podcast, Wright handed the final Champions League spot to Ralf Rangnick’s side rather than his former team.
United are currently winning the race to the last spot behind Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Rangnick’s men have accumulated 47 points and trail Chelsea by only three, although the Champions League holders have two games in hand.
Below the Red Devils are Arsenal and West Ham United, with both London clubs on 45 points. Another capital city rival, Tottenham Hotspur, lurk just behind on 42.
The race for fourth will probably go down to the wire seeing as none of the chasing pack have cemented their status in the table.
Manchester United wasted the chance to pull away by drawing 0-0 with relegation-threatened Watford last weekend.
That disappointing result follows a theme that has run throughout Old Trafford’s recent history – an inability to beat ‘lesser’ opposition.
In 2021/22 alone, Rangnick’s squad has failed to beat Burnley, Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, meanwhile, lost 4-1 to Watford, drew with Everton and the Saints, and were thrashed by Liverpool on home soil.
Arsenal have been equally inconsistent, although they are on a run of three consecutive league wins.
But which of the irregular outfits will top the other? According to Wright, that accolade goes to United.
United outgunning Arsenal
“The fact is, I do fancy Man United to finish fourth because Man United have got the firepower to do it,” the former England striker admitted.
“I’m not going to put pressure on Arsenal, this young team, who I said at the start of the season I’d be delighted if they could get into the top six. Nothing’s changed.
“Arsenal are on the right path. (But) you won’t hear me talking about Arsenal finishing fourth and why I’d say Man United will.
“It’s not just because I don’t want to put pressure on (Arsenal). I genuinely believe Man United, at any stage, for me can click into gear because of the personnel they have.
“Man United, the amount of chances they are making, the fact they have so many match-winners, is why I said that.”
A devilish waste
By Wright’s definition, United should be well clear of Arsenal by now. He’s right to say Rangnick’s group creates lots of chances and they do possess plenty of match-winners, but there hasn’t been much evidence of that lately.
Last weekend they peppered Watford’s goal with 22 shots – but only three were on target. It was a similar story against Burnley – 22 shots with one goal to show for it. At home to Southampton they had eight shots on target, one goal.
Mikel Arteta seems to have a similar problem. Arsenal narrowly beat Wolves 2-1 last week despite having 26 shots to their opponent’s six. In the 2-1 victory over Brentford, the Gunners shot 24 times; the Bees had six attempts.
United and Arsenal are battling it out again like the good old days, although the good old days look a bit different now.
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