Neville's Bold Challenge for United
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has issued a clear target for his old club following their impressive five-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League. The Red Devils have put together a run of three consecutive victories against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton, followed by draws with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur.
This consistent form has propelled Ruben Amorim's side to seventh place in the Premier League table as they enter the November international break. Crucially, they sit just a single point below the coveted Champions League qualification spots, setting the stage for an intriguing second half of the season.
Why United Have a Prime Opportunity
Analysing the situation on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville emphasised the unique advantage United hold this campaign. 'It's been a good month for United,' Neville stated. 'They beat Liverpool and got eight points out of their last four Premier League games.'
He specifically pointed to the demanding nature of their recent fixtures – Liverpool away, Nottingham Forest away, Brighton at home, and Tottenham away – as evidence of their resilience. Neville argued that the absence of European football this term gives United a significant edge over their rivals, allowing for more recovery time between matches.
'United should really be thinking that if they can get it right... they should be thinking around [the] top four, they really should,' he asserted. 'Because there's no one grabbing it at this moment. You look at Chelsea, Tottenham, who don't look sure, Liverpool don't look sure. It's there for the taking.'
The Road Ahead and Squad News
Neville did sound a note of caution, highlighting the upcoming 'winter slog' of two to three months packed with fixtures following the international break. He believes this period will truly separate the contenders, with the league picture becoming much clearer by the end of January.
Manchester United, who finished a disappointing 15th last season, return to action on November 24 with a home fixture against Everton at Old Trafford. However, there are concerns over the fitness of striker Benjamin Sesko for that clash. The Slovenian international will not join his national team and will instead be assessed at the club's Carrington training base.
In more positive news, defender Lisandro Martinez is set to train with Argentina during the break as he continues his journey back to full match fitness, though he is not expected to feature in any international games.
