Rio Ferdinand Comments on Manchester United's Premier League Top 4 Hopes

Former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand believes that the Red Devils can still "get their paws" on their rivals and finish in the top four this season, as per Arindam Rej for ESPN FC.

The ex-England defender's comments were made during an interview with Shaka Hislop for ESPN, in which he also said United's competitors lack consistency this season. 

"I just don't see too many teams running away from Manchester United," Ferdinand said. "I still think Manchester United can get their paws on the other teams."

Jose Mourinho's team are nine points adrift of the Champions League places, but despite conceding a late equaliser to Everton last weekend, they narrowed the gap on two of their key rivals.

Defeats for Liverpool and Manchester City edged United closer to both clubs, which may have influenced Ferdinand's thoughts on the race ahead.

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"I'd say it's as good an opportunity as any other," he told ESPN FC. "I still think, in the league, Manchester United have got players with experience and they are capable of going on a run. I see there are still inconsistencies in the teams above them. People can be caught, just on that basis."

United welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Old Trafford on Sunday with the opportunity to move within three points of Mauricio Pochettino's side. Spurs have received plenty of plaudits for their start to the season, and so moving in on the visitors' points tally would be a major psychological boost for Mourinho.

However, Tottenham rediscovered their verve in a 5-0 thrashing of Swansea City last weekend, with Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane looking particularly sharp. The England international has now scored nine goals in his last nine games in all competitions.

This will be an extremely difficult match for United, who could be cut 12 points adrift of the top four if defeated.

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But Ferdinand remains confident. The 38-year-old went on to say that United's deficit is more surmountable than usual, suggesting that few Premier League teams will move out of their grasp over the course of the campaign.

He said: "In many other seasons gone by, I would have said I don't think that's possible and they wouldn't be able to catch teams from nine points behind at Christmas, but I don't think that other teams are that much more consistent that they are going to be streets and streets ahead. Lots of teams are going to drop points."

Man City have only won 12 points from their last eight Premier League fixtures, while both Liverpool and Arsenal have looked shaky defensively. Since the start of November, the current top four have collectively dropped 14 points from 16 games.

"I see Manchester City dropping points—they are not as consistent as everyone would expect," Ferdinand added. "Liverpool lost to Bournemouth at the weekend—not what everyone expects. Tottenham have come out of a bit of a slump, in terms of not winning games and drawing too many, and are doing alright now, but I don't see everyone being consistent.

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"Chelsea seem to be the most consistent team at the moment, but we'll have to wait and see. Arsenal over the years have dropped points in the league at times when you think they should be going on a run."

United would appear to be making tentative progress over the last six weeks despite results barely improving. They looked physically stronger and more cohesive in the draws against Arsenal, West Ham United and Everton—three games that should have ended as comfortable wins for Mourinho.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba have dramatically improved in recent weeks, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic's run of six goals in six games is cause for celebration after his alarming stretch of one goal in 11 matches in all competitions.

Ferdinand's suggestion may seem far-fetched given that Mourinho has made a worse start as United manager than either David Moyes or Louis van Gaal, but nevertheless the signs are encouraging.

Mourinho's poor start to life in Manchester is highlighted nicely by Caught Offside:

Only time will tell if the former Old Trafford man is correct, but a slip-up against Spurs on Sunday will see United fall further behind. Mourinho's team cannot afford to drop many more points before Christmas if Ferdinand's comments are to be proved realistic.