Rio Ferdinand performs major Manchester United U-turn with Premier League top four prediction

Rio Ferdinand has changed his tune regarding Manchester United and the UEFA Europa League over the course of four months.

On Saturday, Erik ten Hag's men dropped further points in their uphill struggle to catch up with the top-four challengers and subsequently clinch a spot in next season's reformed UEFA Champions League. Bruno Fernandes' two equalisers rescued a draw away to Bournemouth.

It leaves United now one place worse off in the Premier League standings, due to Newcastle's triumph over Tottenham earlier in the day. They sit seventh on 50 points, while Aston Villa sit fourth with 60 points and the opportunity to extend that gap against Arsenal on Sunday.

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"It's an uphill task [to qualify for the Champions League] now. I was confident about a month or two ago, but now no, I can't see it," the former Reds defender told talkSPORT prior to yesterday's match.

"I look at the results that are coming through and Spurs are still churning out a win here and there.

"Villa are in a bit of a funny patch but I just think they're both too far ahead for us. Man United aren't the most consistent team as it is anyway, it's not like Man United are on an unbelievable roll and you go, 'Actually, we could bang out six or seven wins on the bounce.'

"We've not done that all season, so why is it going to happen now? So, I just can't see Man United being able to get past those two teams to get into the Champions League, not at all."

He was then asked if this outcome would only suit his former club should they miss out on European football