Neville, Keane & Carragher’s embarrassing Premier League predictions re-emerge from flop title pick to Ronaldo advice
GARY NEVILLE, ROY KEANE and Jamie Carragher’s Premier League predictions have re-emerged following the climax of the campaign.
A dramatic final day of the season saw Leicester City and Leeds United relegated on Sunday with Everton surviving with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
Manchester City had already been crowned champions after Arsenal’s title collapse over the last month.
The Gunners did qualify for next season’s Champions League, with both Manchester United, in third, and fourth-place Newcastle joining them.
Liverpool endured a miserable season but their late upturn in form led them to ending it in fifth.
And that ensures that they and Brighton, who finished sixth, will be in the Europa League.
Meanwhile, Man Utd’s Carabao Cup success in February could be followed by FA Cup joy this weekend when they face neighbours Man City in the final at Wembley.
The above has freed up an extra place in Europe, and it was Aston Villa who capped a remarkable turnaround under Unai Emery by finishing seventh in the top-flight to make it to next season’s Europa Conference League.
At the start of the season, Sky Sports asked their pundits to make their predictions for the campaign.
Both United legends Keane and Neville were in agreement that Man City, who are also aiming to complete an historic treble with Champions League success against Inter Milan next month, and Liverpool would be battling it out for the title.
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And they both correctly guessed that it would be the Cityzens celebrating – although Neville was way off when saying: “Tottenham are the only team I can see that can get close to them [City and Liverpool].”
Although Keane also backed them to challenge the top two, only for their season to end in disaster after Antonio Conte’s exit.
Liverpool legend Carragher was also left red-faced after he incorrectly backed his old club to win the title “because of Virgil van Dijk”.
He also tipped Spurs to finish third and Chelsea, who finished in the bottom half, to make fourth.
United’s success has all come despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive transfer exit before Christmas following his criticism of Erik ten Hag and the club’s hierarchy.
But that was not what both Keane and Neville were feeling at the start of the season despite him reporting back for pre-season late
Keane said: “You have to try and keep Ronaldo because he’s a brilliant player.
“I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as everyone’s making out.
“When you’re a manager, trouble comes your way, he has to deal with it.
“I think it can work out well for United.”
Meanwhile, Neville said: “Ronaldo has the power, the strength, the status to influence.”
Although Carragher did say: “I’d move Ronaldo on, it’d be the first thing I’d do if I was Ten Hag coming in.
“He’s almost bigger than the club and we are talking about one of the biggest clubs in the world, and Ronaldo is one of the few players who could be classed like that alongside Lionel Messi.
“You can put up with that if he’s one of the best players in the world – I don’t think he is right now.”