Phil Neville names Manchester United’s best possible finishing position in the 2023/24 season

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Former Manchester United star Phil Neville believes the Red Devils are in for a long season ahead with a capped ceiling.

It is safe to say Manchester United’s 2023/24 season is not going to plan. Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth was further illustration of that.

The next four games look incredibly tough too for Erik ten Hag‘s side. Bayern Munich, Liverpool, West Ham and Aston Villa.

First up we just need to get through that stretch. And right now the team’s prospects do not look too strong.

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Phil Neville on Manchester United prospects

Phil Neville believes a top four place for Manchester United is currently out of the question.

Speaking to NBC Sports prior to the Tottenham v Newcastle game, Neville said United would finish no higher than sixth place.

He explained: “At this moment in time its difficult to be a Manchester United supporter.

“They are sixth in the table. That’s as good as it gets for this Manchester United team.

“They are not as good as the teams above, we watched Aston Villa yesterday, Manchester United are not as good as Aston Villa, not as good as Newcastle, so sixth position might be as good as it gets for this football club until they sort themselves out from top to bottom.”

Tottenham’s win over Newcastle means Manchester United end the weekend in sixth, 10 points off first place.

Tough month ahead for Manchester United

United are six points behind Manchester City in fourth, who themselves have had a shaky week.

The problem for United is the fixtures, with tough league games upcoming against Liverpool, West Ham and Aston Villa, and then an away game at Nottingham Forest to end the year.

United could plummet down the league. And perhaps there will be a recovery, but how much damage will be done?

Neville is quite shrewd to point out that even if United rally and win some games, the inconsistency remains, and sixth place might be a best possible outcome, based on what we are seeing at present.

But just to finish sixth will be tricky. Neville knows, as part of the David Moyes coaching staff which finished seventh in the league in 2013/14.