Date published: Wednesday 12th January 2022 12:02 – Joe Williams
Alan Shearer didn’t mention Man Utd while predicting the Premier League teams that will finish in the top four this season.
Despite being in seventh position in the Premier League table, the Red Devils are one of Europe’s most in-form teams with only one defeat in their last ten matches in all competitions.
Their first loss of Ralf Rangnick’s reign as manager came in their last Premier League match against Wolves in a terrible display.
‘We all think Man Utd are way more massive than they are’
That defeats means Man Utd – who face trips to Aston Villa and Brentford in their next two league matches – are four points behind fourth-placed Arsenal with a game in hand on the north London club.
Despite being very close to fourth position, Shearer decided not to include Man Utd in the conversation, instead focusing on the Gunners and Tottenham.
Predicting the top four, Shearer told Optus Sport: “Before a ball was kicked I did say Chelsea [to win the league] – I’m having severe doubts now.
“The run that Man City have been on, they’ve just been relentless and Pep [Guardiola] is just incredible, the way he keeps drilling out results and getting the best out of all of those players that he’s got.
“It’s difficult with so many good players because every good player wants to play every week and how he handles that is hugely important.
“So I’ll probably have to say Man City [will win] I don’t think anyone will beat them now.
“Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea… I’ve been really impressed with Arteta and Arsenal and how he’s handled things, but [Antonio] Conte going into Spurs and with Harry Kane and Son [Heung-min] up front, I think I might say Spurs into fourth position.”
Shearer – who played for Newcastle United for most of his career – is hoping the Magpies stay up this season and has predicted Norwich City, Watford and Burnley to drop into the Championship.
“Probably Norwich, Watford and I always say Burnley will have enough but I’ve watched Burnley a few times in December and been really surprised at how poorly they’ve been defensively,” Shearer added.
“I know they don’t concede as many as the other teams in the relegation battle do but then going forward they haven’t scored as much either.
“They’ve got (Maxwel) Cornet, who can produce spectacular goals… So, I’m going to say Burnley, let’s hope that Newcastle that are going to get out of it.”