Man Utd are now eight points off fourth place in the Premier League and Jose Mourinho has made a worrying prediction about the rest of the season.
Jose Mourinho has admitted it will be a ‘miracle’ for Manchester United to finish fourth in the Premier League this season.
The United manager previously predicted his team would be top four by the end of December but also warned that the campaign would be ‘difficult’.
After the 2-2 draw at St Mary’s Mourinho has now spoken about ‘the miracle’ of finishing fourth as they sit eight points off Arsenal in fourth spot.
Speaking to Brazilian outlet RedeTV about his aspirations for the season he said: “Try to win as many points as possible and try almost the miracle of finishing fourth.
“Until last year I said that finishing second was a fantastic thing because of the qualities we had in comparison to the quality of the other teams that are fighting for the top four. Already last year I said it.
United great Gary Neville also believes it would be a stretch for United to push in to the top four given the form of their rivals.
“United are in a massive battle to get in the top four, or the Europa League places in fact,” Neville said on the Gary Neville Podcast.
“If you’re Chelsea and Spurs you’ll be looking over your shoulder at Arsenal. I don’t think Liverpool and City need to worry (about reaching the top four). I think they’re the two outstanding teams who will finish in the top four. If you’re Manchester United, where are you at?
“So in terms of top four you would think Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, it’s two from that three. Because United have got to prove a lot more than they have done this season, they have to prove that they can compete with this Arsenal team.”