Arsenal legend Ray Parlour predicts where high-flying Manchester United will finish in the Premier League

Manchester United are flying under Erik ten Hag (Pictures: Getty)

Ray Parlour says Manchester United will be ‘one of the favourites’ for the Premier League title next season but expects Erik ten Hag’s side to finish below Arsenal and Manchester City this term.

United are flying under Ten Hag, climbing to third in the Premier League – five points behind surprise leaders Arsenal – as well as reaching Sunday’s EFL Cup final and knocking Barcelona out of the Europa League.

An unprecedented quadruple is still on the cards for Manchester United but Parlour reckons the Red Devils will have to settle for third place in the Premier League this season.

However, the three-time Premier League winner insists United will be one of the teams to beat next season, especially if Ten Hag is backed in the transfer market.

‘What a singing Erik ten Hag has been,’ Parlour told aceodds. ‘I didn’t doubt him at the start of him coming in.

‘He had a few problems, obviously, Cristiano Ronaldo was his big problem. Trying to get rid of him, which he done in the end, and now you see them playing with so much confidence.

‘I think they’ve improving as a team again. There’s probably going to be investment again in Manchester United in the summer. They could be a real force next year. I believe they can be.

‘I think they’ll certainly be challenging for the title next year but this season I think they will finish third.

‘They will try to chase down Man City and Arsenal, but I think they’ll be third, which will be Champions League football, which will be so important for the club as well. But I think next season, they could have a real go.

‘If they can get the recruitment right again in summer and bring in a couple of real top class players.

‘Casemiro has been a great signing for the midfield, very calm and knows exactly how to win trophies. Rashford’s been amazing. Then you’ve got people like Sancho who could suddenly now, find his feet after problems he’s had.

‘I think Ten Hag has been a brilliant signing for Manchester United’s point of view. If he gets a bit of help from the board, I’m certain they’ll be one of the favourites next year to go for the title.’

Manchester United will lift their first trophy since 2017 if they beat Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final this weekend.

Man United face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle in the EFL Cup final (Picture: Getty)

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, former Ajax boss Ten Hag said his United team would have to overcome an ‘annoying’ opponent in Newcastle at Wembley.

‘They are an annoying team,’ said Ten Hag before adding: ‘They try to annoy you. They are quite successful with it.

‘We have to get speed into our game. We have to focus on playing football and be fully concentrated on that and don’t get distracted by what could be.’

MORE : Jamie Carragher says Manchester United star should win POTY instead of Erling Haaland

MORE : Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers says Arsenal have ‘outstanding’ player on the bench

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Erik ten Hag’s side are flying.