Gary Neville has suggested Manchester United's participation in the Europa League and FA Cup could potentially have an impact on their final Premier League standing.
Erik ten Hag's side currently sit third in the Premier League table - one point clear of fourth-placed Tottenham with two games in hand. However, the Reds find themselves just three points ahead of Newcastle, who they face on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds are expected to finish inside the top-four and secure Champions League football for next season, but former defender Neville believes certain predictions aren't taking their cup runs into account. United are into the semi-finals of the FA Cup and quarter-finals of the Europa League.
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Ahead of the clash with the Magpies at St. James' Park, Neville was informed that Opta have predicted United have a 93 per cent chance of finishing inside the top four this season. While the Sky Sports pundit was keen to stress he thinks his former side will achieve that feat, he did admit he was slightly more apprehensive.
"I’m not as confident," Neville said. "I think United will finish in the top four but I’m not as confident as 93%. I’m not sure that takes into account Manchester United are still in the Europa League, still in the FA Cup.
"If you think of Manchester United’s run-in my concern of United just a little bit is the stretch and stress on the squad. They are finely-tuned, and one or two players away from if they got an injury the performance levels drop enormously."
Meanwhile, Opta predicted that Eddie Howe's side have a 47 per cent chance of securing a top-four finish, while Tottenham have been given a 27 per cent chance. Liverpool, on the other hand, are outsiders with a 23 per cent chance.
The Reds are aiming to finish inside the Champions League places this term after finishing in sixth place last season. Ten Hag's men can still cement their place in Europe's elite competition even if they finish outside of the top-four, but they would need to win the Europa League.
Ten Hag's men will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after drawing 0-0 with Southampton in their last top-flight clash before the international break.
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