Jamie Carragher outlines Manchester United concern amid West Ham top-four 'advantage'

14.02.2022 - 00:17 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Pressure to succeed could be a major hindrance on Manchester United in the top-four race this season.

That's the message from Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Carragher, who has outlined one advantage West Ham have on their fellow contenders for Champions League qualification.

Arsenal were able to put their feet up as United and Tottenham dropped points on Saturday and Sunday.

West Ham also suffered defeat against Leicester City to round-off the Premier League matchday.

It means there are only five points separating those teams - and surprise package Wolves - as the season prepares to head into its final stretch.

Jarrod Bowen put the Hammers into an early lead at the King Power Stadium.

However, while Youri Tielemans (pen) and Ricardo Pereira turned that game around, reaction to the defeat proves significant in showing how West Ham can approach their own dream to make it through to the marquee European competition - according to Liverpool great Carragher.

Speaking to Sky Sports before the game, he said: "As we've seen over these last couple of years with Leicester, it's very tough. The good thing for West Ham is over the last few weeks they've had a couple results.

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"You go back to the Manchester United one where they didn't get the points in that game.

"Because we don't expect West Ham to be in the top-four, if they do lose a couple of games there isn't scrutiny on them or criticism that you see on Manchester United drawing or Tottenham losing which creates a lot of negativity around the place.

"That's the one advantage they have on other teams."

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