'Totally unconvincing' - Lawrenson makes top four prediction despite Man Utd concerns

Mark Lawrenson has backed Manchester United to finish in the top four despite their performances being far from convincing at present.

A 2-0 win over Brighton last time out put the Red Devils fourth in the Premier League table but prior to that they played out dull 1-1 draws against Burnley and Southampton with some disappointing displays.

The race for the top four is heating up with West Ham, Arsenal, Wolves and Tottenham all fighting for the final Champions League spot with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea looking set to finish in the top three.

Arsenal sit sixth, four points behind the Red Devils, and have three games in hand but Liverpool legend Lawrenson feels United will find a way to hold off any challengers.

‘Arsenal have got games in hand but I just feel that sometimes, when the pressure is on them, they cave in a bit,’ Lawrenson told the BBC.

‘Tottenham are losing games and losing ground, and the problem for West Ham is that they don’t have the biggest squad. Wolves are outsiders too, because of their lack of goals.

‘The top three will stay clear and I just think that, by hook or by crook, Manchester United are going to get fourth place.

‘They are still picking up points even if the way they are playing is totally unconvincing at the moment.’

United come up against rivals Leeds on Sunday before turning their attention to Atletico Madrid in the first-leg of their last-16 Champions League tie.

Lawrenson is predicting a 2-1 win for the visitors to Elland Road but says Ralf Rangnick’s side need to take their chances.

‘This should be a good game, because both sides have got something to prove at the moment and it’s normally pretty lively when they play each other anyway,’ he added.

‘Leeds didn’t really turn up