Wednesday 6 May 2015 17:59, UK
Manchester United will finish fourth in the table despite their recent downturn in form, according to the Morning View panel on Sky Sports News HQ.
Louis van Gaal's side have lost their last three Premier League matches to Chelsea, Everton and West Brom and now sit just four points above fifth-placed Liverpool with three games left.
West Brom first-team coach Gerry Francis, whose side won 1-0 at Old Trafford last Saturday, believes United boss van Gaal has issues he needs to deal with but expects them to qualify for the Champions League.
"We played Manchester United and Liverpool in the last two games and took four points - beating United and drawing with Liverpool," Francis told the Morning View.
The team worked really hard during the week building up to the United game to try and identify their weaknesses.
"It was a tough game for us against United. But we noticed in recent games they get caught out on the turnover and the team worked really hard in the week building up to try and identify their weaknesses.
"United played well against Chelsea but lost and then started well against Everton and the same happened. We had a bit of fortune with our goal but we were pleased to see it go in.
"They have trouble with quick teams breaking against them. It's something Van Gaal might need to look at. When they're attacking teams, they do leave themselves open to the counter attack.
'Experienced'
"Since Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have gone, I think they need to strengthen in the defensive area, but it’s not easy to find the kind of experienced defender you need in there. But certainly talking to Van Gaal after the game he is definitely looking to make changes again in the summer.
"I think they’ll get fourth, with Arsenal second, Manchester City third and Liverpool fifth."
Former Newcastle star Steve Howey also expects United to be safe from the advances of Liverpool.
"They haven’t pushed on from last season but they did over-achieve that year, despite being unlucky not to win the title in the end," he said.
"Brendan Rodgers spent a lot of money and a couple of them haven’t worked, like Dejan Lovren for example, and Mario Balotelli, who certainly hasn’t worked.
"Luis Suarez was a huge loss and Daniel Sturridge has been out for most of the season, and so a lot of pressure has been put on Raheem Sterling.
"They need to sign another striker this summer certainly. They cannot keep relying on Sturridge and Sterling to do it all for them. But I’ve been pleased with Jordan Henderson, who is settling into the captaincy."
Watch the Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ from 10am, Monday to Friday.
