Despite their improved form, Manchester United will not finish in the top four of the Premier League this year, according to Arsenal legend Paul Merson.

The season got off to a bad start for Erik ten Hag's team as they lost their first two games to Brentford and Brighton.

But the Red Devils answered by going on a run of four straight Premier League victories, which included wins over Liverpool and Arsenal.

However, Real Sociedad defeated United in their opening Europa League group stage game on Wednesday.

In the summer transfer window, Ten Hag strengthened his team with a number of high-profile additions, such as Antony, Lisandro Martinez, and Casemiro.

Merson, however, thinks that United will fall short of qualifying for the Champions League because their team "has a lot of work to do."

Instead, the legendary Arsenal player has predicted that the top four teams will be Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Arsenal, in that order.

It’s still early doors, but I think the Premier League top-four this season will be Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in whatever order, "Merson told Sportskeeda.

Chelsea will obviously have a thing or two to say, but we’ll have to wait and see how Potter performs at Stamford Bridge.

“As for Manchester United, I don’t think they’ll make it because they still have a lot of work to do in terms of their squad.

They’ve won four league games in a row, including victories against Liverpool and Arsenal, but I’m yet to be convinced by them.

Manchester United finished last season in sixth position behind Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester City and failed to qualify for the Champions League.