Gary Lineker makes Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd top-four prediction

Manchester United is currently in fifth place in the Premier League table, but Gary Lineker believes the Red Devils will finish in the top four at the expense of Liverpool and Chelsea

Gary Lineker has made his predictions for the Champions League positions(Image: The Rest is Football)

Gary Lineker has tipped Manchester United to secure a Champions League berth this season thanks to the momentum generated under interim head coach Michael Carrick.

The Red Devils remain undefeated since the former midfielder took charge at Old Trafford following Ruben Amorim's departure, claiming four victories and one draw in their Premier League fixtures. They return to action on Monday, when they face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Going into the game, United occupies fifth place in the table, but avoiding defeat would see the Manchester team leapfrog Chelsea into fourth. United, Chelsea and Liverpool are all level on 45 points after the latter's win against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

England's European coefficient suggests that the top five will likely secure Champions League qualification next season.

That represents positive news for the clubs, including Liverpool, competing for those positions. However, with six teams currently in contention, at least one will fall short.

Speaking on 'The Rest is Football,' Lineker offered his forecast on which side it will be. "It's pretty tight up there for the Champions League spots," he said.

Manchester United has been backed to claim a Champions League spot at the end of the season(Image: Getty Images)

"I would say Villa probably, they've got a lot of fixtures. The addition of Tammy Abraham will help them, they'll be in the top five.

"Then two from three. At the moment, the three of them are on 45 points. I think the way they are going, if they stay injury-free, United will take one of them.

"Who would have thought that if you said last season that Man United would finish above Liverpool? Even a few weeks ago, you would have gone, what?

"I think the other spot is between Liverpool and Chelsea. I think United will do it, they've got momentum, belief, but as long as they don't have any injuries, because I don't think they'll cope with that. If they don't, I think they'll finish in the top five.

"Chelsea and Liverpool are both erratic. Chelsea have got a lot going for them, but a bit inexperienced.

"Liverpool are definitely better than they were in the first half of the season. Defensively, they aren't giving goals away.

"If you pinned me against the wall and asked me to give you the top five; Arsenal, City, Villa, Man United and Liverpool, Chelsea just missing out."

Aston Villa currently sits in third place in the table, six points ahead of Chelsea, United and Liverpool, although United has a game in hand. All three teams, in fourth, fifth and sixth, are currently separated by just goal difference.