The Match of the Day host believes Michael Carrick’s momentum will secure Champions League football for the Red Devils at the expense of their biggest rivals.
The Carrick Effect: Unbeaten Run Fuels Top-Five Belief
Manchester United head into their Monday night clash with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium with the wind in their sails. Since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim, United have been a team transformed, remaining unbeaten in five league outings.
With the Premier League likely to secure a fifth Champions League spot through England’s European coefficient, the race is wide open. United currently sit fifth, but a result against the Toffees would see them leapfrog Chelsea into fourth.
Lineker’s Prediction: Who Misses Out?
Speaking on the latest episode of The Rest is Football, Gary Lineker admitted that the race for Europe is the tightest it has been in years. While Arsenal and Manchester City are considered locks for the top two, the remaining three spots are a “toss-up” between four giants.
“I think United will do it,” Lineker stated. “They’ve got momentum and belief. If they stay injury-free, they’ll take one of those spots. Who would have thought a few weeks ago we’d be saying Man United could finish above Liverpool?”
Lineker’s predicted Top 5 for 2026:
- Arsenal
- Manchester City
- Aston Villa
- Manchester United
- Liverpool
(Chelsea to finish 6th)
The Battle for the Coefficient: The Current Standings
Lineker highlighted Aston Villa’s resilience, bolstered by the January arrival of Tammy Abraham, as a key reason for their 3rd-place standing. Meanwhile, he described Chelsea and Liverpool as “erratic,” noting Chelsea’s inexperience as a potential downfall in the season’s final stretch.
| Club | Current Points | Lineker’s Verdict |
| Aston Villa | 51 | Strong favorites with Abraham’s goals. |
| Man United | 45* | Momentum is key under Carrick. |
| Chelsea | 45 | High quality but too inexperienced. |
| Liverpool | 45 | Improving defensively, but erratic. |
| Manchester United have a game in hand (vs Everton). |
As it stands, United, Chelsea, and Liverpool are separated only by goal difference. Monday’s result at Everton could be the defining moment in Carrick’s quest to return United to Europe’s elite competition.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
