Gary Neville has predicted a Man Utd top-four finish every year since 2018 — with mixed results

Gary Neville has predicted Manchester United to finish in the Premier League top four for the ninth consecutive season, maintaining a streak that stretches back to 2018/19 — and one that has produced as many misses as hits.

The former United defender initially placed his old club third for the 2024/25 campaign but revised that to fourth following their 2-0 defeat to Hull City in the FA Cup. Speaking alongside Jamie Carragher, Neville said: “Look, do you want me to be honest? Yes. I can’t separate United and Liverpool in fourth place.” Carragher was unimpressed, noting: “I’ve heard you’ve changed it four times over the weekend.”

Neville added: “A couple of weeks ago, I had United in third. Look, at the moment, I’m not convinced by United or Liverpool, really, but I do think they’ll finish fourth and fifth.”

A look back at his nine predictions tells a story of stubborn optimism with occasional vindication.

2018/19 — Wrong. Neville had United finishing third. José Mourinho was sacked in December and replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who guided the club to sixth.

2019/20 — Right. Neville predicted fourth. Solskjaer delivered third and Champions League football.

2020/21 — Right. Neville called second place. Solskjaer was eventually replaced by Ralf Rangnick as interim, but United did finish second.

2021/22 — Wrong. Erik ten Hag took charge and Neville backed a top-three finish, saying United “have got to prove themselves.” They ended up sixth.

2022/23 — Right. Neville placed United fourth. They went one better, finishing third and winning the Carabao Cup — their first silverware since 2017.

2023/24 — Wrong. Neville again predicted a top-four finish under Ten Hag. United endured one of their worst Premier League campaigns in the modern era.

With three correct calls and three wrong from the seasons where a full verdict is available, Neville’s record reflects United’s own inconsistency across that period. Whether his latest revision to fourth place proves any more accurate remains to be seen.