Jamie Carragher makes cheeky Gary Neville dig as he calls for change in Man Utd stance

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Jamie Carragher has quipped that one of his hopes for 2026 is for Gary Neville to stop predicting Manchester United will finish in the top four - but he isn't holding out much hope.

The two Sky Sports pundits are often having to give their predictions before the season kick-offs, both with the broadcaster and often on the Overlap. Neville, with his long association to the Manchester outfit, forever backs them to make the top four. That is despite the team having several dips over recent seasons. Almost without thought he includes them in his top four picks, which has been called out by Carragher, and Neville himself laughs about the fact he will not veer from such a prediction.

The ex-Liverpool defender has named several of his hopes for the upcoming year, which include another trophy for the Reds and success for his son, who is at Wigan, but also longed for Neville to stop with his constant United prediction.

He told The Telegraph : "Wigan Athletic to win promotion from League One into the Championship, Liverpool to win the Champions League , and for Gary Neville to stop predicting Manchester United are going to finish in the top four. At least two of those three have a chance of happening."

United have missed out on the top four in three of the past four seasons. Their only success coming in Erik ten Hag's first year when the Red Devils finished third. Since then they have come eighth before ending last year in 15th - a record low in the Premier League era.

Ruben Amorim's side began the year inconsistently but even in recent months Neville has reiterated his stance that United could sneak into the top four. That came after they'd beaten Liverpool at Anfield with the Merseyside outfit - and some of their rivals - enduring dips in form.

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He said: "United should really be thinking that if they can get it right - Tottenham as well but it's tougher for tham with European games - they should be thinking around top four. They really should, because there's no one grabbing it at this moment. You look at Chelsea , Tottenham, who don't look sure, Liverpool don't look sure... it's there for it's there for the taking. It's about consistency."

As things stand United sit in sixth, three points behind Liverpool who occupy fourth spot. Neville has bemoaned several missed opportunities in recent weeks with Bournemouth and Wolves both leaving Old Trafford with a point.

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.