Former Manchester United midfielder Gordan Strachan is far from certain that the club will be able to reach the top four of the Premier League this season.
United sit sixth after their weekend win at Aston Villa on Sunday, and they look to be out of the running to challenge any of the top four for their spot.
That would leave them missing out on Champions League football once again, which may make transfers tougher than desired by new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratciffe.
With Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool all impressing this season, Strachan told Lord Ping that he believes United are a way off matching them.
He said: “Manchester United have still got a big job on their hands to qualify for the Champions League.
"They have momentum at the moment but they’re competing against some very good teams for a place in the Champions League.
"If you were to compare them to Liverpool, Arsenal, City or Spurs, then I think they are still some way behind them because those teams have the ability to conjure up some magic in games.
"Manchester United don’t have that magic in the team at the moment and they will need to find that from somewhere if they want to finish in the top four.”
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