Man Utd snubbed but ex-Premier League manager backs Newcastle United to finish in top four

Former Premier League manager Neil Warnock thinks Newcastle United will finish in the top four this season, but he sees Man Utd missing out.

The Magpies have enjoyed a brilliant start to the 2022/23 season under manager Eddie Howe.

The former AFC Bournemouth boss seamlessly guided them away from the relegation zone last season as they ended up finishing around the mid-table.

Newcastle were likely hoping to fight for a place in Europe at the start of this season after Howe was backed in the summer transfer market.

But they have exceeded expectations so far as they are third in the Premier League after 15 games.

Howe's side have lost just once in the league this season as they sit ahead of Tottenham, Man Utd and Liverpool in the table.

Liverpool have had a difficult start to the season and suffered shock defeats against Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.

But this season is unlike any other with a mid-season break following the Winter World Cup in Qatar.

So teams like Liverpool will hope this break will serve them well when the Premier League resumes on Boxing Day.

Warnock has argued Newcastle are maintaining their early season form to qualify for the Champions League and he believes Liverpool and Spurs will fight for the remaining spot.

"I think I would put Newcastle in it myself," Warnock said on talkSPORT.

He added: "It's the first time he has to work for his job Jurgen [Klopp], because he has done very well.

"He's had a bad spell so it will be interesting to come into the last half of the season now, with [Liverpool] and Spurs."

On Tottenham, Warnock added: "[Antonio] Conte can't do much more.

"They just have to win something, it's not great to watch but it's a winner so I would like to see Tottenham win something."

Man Utd, meanwhile, have shown signs of progress this season, despite losing their opening two league games to Brighton and Brentford.

Warnock praised Erik ten Hag for "getting the job done", but he doesn't see them making the top four.

The former manager believes it will take him 'two or three years' to get United back to where they want to be.

"I don't think Man United will come fourth, but I think he [Ten Hag] is doing the job," Warnock added.

"I thought it would take two or three years. You know [Cristiano] Ronaldo is gone, I think he's the same as the Frenchman with [Didier] Deschamps.

"He doesn't want [Karim] Benzema back. I think the dressing room is right and he doesn't want to jeopardize that now."

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