Peter Schmeichel names the only team who can rival Man Utd for fourth spot

Peter Schmeichel has backed Manchester United to secure fourth place this season, though feels Arsenal could pose the biggest threat of the chasing pack.

The Red Devils won an entertaining clash against Leeds at Elland Road on Sunday 4-2, creating a four-point gap to fifth-placed West Ham in the Premier League table – though Arsenal, Wolves and Tottenham all have games in hand on United.

Arsenal could go five points above United if they win their three games in hand, and Schmeichel has been impressed with the north Londoners’ form recently.

But he has highlighted that United have actually accrued more points – 11 from the last 15 available compared to 10 for Arsenal – and would always favour points on the board over games in hand.

Asked who he is backing in the top-four battle during an interview on BBC 5 Live Breakfast, Schmeichel said: ‘I think Arsenal have shown some great form.

‘But actually, on current form in the last five games, Man United is a little bit better than Arsenal. It’s hard to see but they are.

‘I think having the points on the board rather than games in hand [is more important].’

Reflecting on United’s performance against Leeds, he continued: ‘Manchester United in periods of no success is a great, great story and you will read so many things.

‘People behind the scenes saying this is coming out of the dressing room, there’s division, all of this we know has happened time and time again.

‘And the thing is, once you’re inside the training ground, Old Trafford, you stay close, you never tell anybody anything. So these stories, they’re literally just taken out of thin air.

‘And it was important – really, really important – that the team came out yesterday, in the most difficult of circumstances, and showed