Rio Ferdinand says Man United will miss out on top four but believes European qualification could still ‘galvanise’ the club

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes they face an “uphill task” to finish in the Premier League’s top four.

However, he stressed that cup competitions can provide a boost to league form as United face a more certain likelihood of sealing Europa League qualification.

Erik ten Hag’s side currently sit sixth in the table and 11 points behind Tottenham and Aston Villa in fourth and fifth respectively.

With seven league matches remaining, their chances of finishing in the top four and therefore qualifying for the Champions League appear slim.

And speaking on talkSPORT Drive, Ferdinand revealed his belief United face an almighty challenge to pimp Spurs and Villa into fourth place.

“It’s a tough task now. I was confident about a month or two ago, but now no, I don’t see it. I look at the results coming in and Spurs keep picking up wins here and there.

“Villa are in a bit of a fun time but I just think they are both too far ahead for us. Man United aren’t the most consistent team as they are anyway, that’s not all. It’s not like Man United are on an incredible run and you’re like, “Actually, we could get six or seven wins in one go.”

“We haven’t done it all season, so why is it going to happen now? So I just don’t see Man United being able to get past those two teams to get into the Champions League, not at all.”

However, when asked if United would be better off not qualifying for Europe at all, Ferdinand rejected the idea and explained how cup competitions can prove beneficial.

“Maybe, but cup competitions can also galvanize the place, it can lift the place up. Man United are in the FA Cup at the moment, if we said: ‘Look, just concentrate on winning the league’, we would have no hope. now, nothing else to play for.

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“So sometimes if you can use cup competitions to your advantage and put a bit of momentum into it, they can also be a spark plug for league form.

“Look, without the Champions League at Man United it’s very disappointing but I always look at things from a player’s point of view.

“Jason (Cundy), you’ll understand, Andy (Goldstein) maybe not, you want to get your hands on some silverware, if you get a chance to do it, you take it.”

United next face Bournemouth on Saturday before an FA Cup semi-final clash against Coventry City next weekend at Wembley.

Back-to-back home matches against league strugglers Sheffield United and Burnley then follow as the season continues.

Four games and a potential FA Cup final are on the cards for United in May, although the top four could well be out of sight by then.