Manchester United are currently third in the Premier League and look to be battling Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa for a top five finish and Champions League qualification

Manchester United have tasted defeat just once since appointing Michael Carrick as boss and the reniassance has the Reds third in the Premier League table and in pole position to secure Champions League football next season.

Arsenal and Manchester City look set to fill the top two places with the Gunners currently nine clear having played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s side. Behind them, United lead the chasing pack with a host of clubs still having eyes on the Champions League next season.

The top four will guarantee a place at Europe’s top table and fifth will almost certainly be enough as one of the extra UEFA co-efficient places. It means United, Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea could be scrapping for three spots while Brentford, Fulham and Brighton won’t have given up hopes of gatecrashing the top five with all three within five points of Liverpool in fifth. We ask our United writers for their verdict on how the run-in will pan out.

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Tyrone Marshall

Despite Arsenal’s dreadful performance in the Carabao Cup final, I still think they will fall over the line and be crowned champions. Fitting champions for a season that hasn’t exactly been memorable and I won’t remember anything from this Arsenal team.

Manchester City still have a rick in them and I just don’t think they will win enough games to put the pressure on the Gunners, but they will coast into second.

I have United finishing third. They are in the best form of the sides challenging for the top six and also a schedule that allows them plenty of rest. They have enough going for them to think they will continue as they have been under Carrick and get the job done for third.

The real storyline is what happens in fourth and fifth. I’ve long had Aston Villa bookmarked for sixth. They have relied on fortune a fair bit this season, especially with goals from distance, have tailed off at the wrong time and now have to factor in a Europa League run that could take them all the way.

But their win last weekend stabilised their form and there are just so many questions around Liverpool and Chelsea. Liverpool have been unconvincing for so long, but do seem capable of picking up wins here and there.

Chelsea feel like the crisis club now. You get the impression the players just aren’t having Liam Rosenior, and who can blame them, frankly. I’m going to go Liverpool in fourth, Villa in fifth, and Chelsea to just hang on to sixth.

Steven Railston

Not a groundbreaking prediction: Arsenal will be Premier League champions and City will finish as runners-up. What is more interesting is how the remaining European places will be filled.

Carrick’s impact at Old Trafford has been impressive and I have United down to finish third, with some reasonably looking fixtures still left to play. It’s going to be close between Liverpool and Aston Villa for fourth, but the latter bottled the Champions League on the last day of last season, and I could see them doing it again.

Many have questioned the timing of Salah’s announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, however, it’s the kind of news that could spur their dressing room on to give him a positive send-off.

Rosenior’s time at Chelsea is already threatening to turn sour and I have them down to finish sixth. Rosenior talks as if he should be in an episode of The Office, not a top Premier League job.

Jack Flintham

I am not convinced the title race is all wrapped up yet. Arsenal’s defeat to City in the Carabao Cup final has ramped up the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side and the gap will close to three points if the Blues win their game in hand and beat the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium.

If that happens, the race is well and truly on. At the moment, I still think Arsenal will pip City to the title as there are still too many ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ before the Blues close the substantial gap.

United should finish third comfortably. Carrick deserves plenty of recognition for the job he has done and with Liverpool and Aston Villa contesting in Europe, the Reds should capitalise.

Speaking of their nearest challengers, I think Liverpool will put up a challenge but Villa should hold onto fourth. I have not seen enough from Arne Slot’s side to suggest they can be consistent enough to close the gap, even if Villa offer up opportunities. That being said, they will finish fifth and still probably secure Champions League football.

My wildcard pick would be for Everton to finish sixth. Things are turning sour at Chelsea and after being thumped on Merseyside before the international break, I can’t see them holding onto sixth.

David Moyes’ side must rectify their home form but if they can replicate the Chelsea performance against Liverpool, that momentum will see them through to an impressive finish.