Manchester United will pip Chelsea to fourth spot in the Premier League, says Mark Bosnich, with fifth place not anticipated to be sufficient to secure Champions League qualification.

A two-year ban for Manchester City from elite European competition has opened a door for those presently sat under them in the English top-flight table.

The Blues are, however, making ready to contest the sanctions imposed on them by means of UEFA and Bosnich expects that appeal to be successful, that means that the likes of United and Chelsea will proceed to struggle it out for one qualification ticket behind City, Leicester and Liverpool .

Frank Lampard’s side maintain the upper hand at present, however the chasing pack has bunched up at the back of them and the Red Devils are threatening to click into gear heading down the final straight.

They swept apart Watford on Sunday , a day after Chelsea edged past Tottenham, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team very much back in the hunt for a Champions League return.

Bosnich, who represented United and Chelsea in his playing days, told Sky Sports of a exciting combat to the finish: “Forget about all the Man City stuff because I suppose that will be reversed.

“I’m just going say that it will be a toss-up for fourth place between Chelsea and Manchester United. I suppose Manchester United will pip it in the end.

“It sincerely is congested. Chelsea are obviously in fourth vicinity on forty four points, however all the way down to eighth are solely 4 points behind.

“Obviously things will come into it like suspensions and injuries, as they constantly do.

I’ve just got a feeling that Manchester United may squeeze into that fourth place simply above Chelsea.

“At this moment in time I suppose it would be stupid for every person to put any serious money on it because it is so congested and the way that teams are playing, Sheffield United and teams like that, you in no way quite know.

“Obviously Chelsea and Manchester United are each concerned in European competitions, as are Tottenham as well, however that may want to exchange in a couple of weeks’ time.

“Chelsea have got a big game this week against Bayern Munich . Manchester United are nevertheless in the Europa League as well.
“That’s my feeling at the moment, but that should change weekly!”

United have a critical run of games approaching throughout more than one competitions, with the second leg of a Europa League last-32 encounter with Club Brugge set to be observed by an FA Cup fifth-round clash with Derby and Premier League outings towards Everton , Manchester City, Tottenham and Sheffield United.