Manchester United: Peter Schmeichel backs former club to finish fourth in the Premier League

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel believes the Red Devils will pip Arsenal to fourth place in the Premier League this season.

United's entertaining 4-2 victory at Leeds on Sunday saw them consolidate fourth place in the table after the weekend's action, four points ahead of West Ham and Arsenal.

However, while United have played the same number of matches as the Hammers, Arsenal have played three games less yet Schmeichel insists having points on the board is more important than games in hand.

Asked on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast who are in contention for fourth-place, 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].

‘It (Leeds) was a great win, let me absolutely clear about that it was a great win, but I still think there is a long, long, long way to go for this team.

‘They’ve still got, in terms of football, so many more things to prove.’

Arsenal play one of their games in hand against Wolves on Thursday, while United are next in action in the Premier League against Watford on Saturday.

Before that, the Red Devils travel to Madrid to face Atletico in the Champions League last-16 on Saturday.