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news: Red Devils are 'favourites' for top-four finish for two reasons - Shearer

Manchester United are still the favourites to qualify for the Champions League out of themselves, Chelsea and Leicester, because the Red Devils are going into the final three games in good form and with top-quality players. That's the opinion of Premier League icon Alan Shearer, who thinks Chelsea will probably beat Norwich but face difficulty against Liverpool.

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Michael Obafemi scored a 96th-minute equaliser after poking home from a corner, in a major setback to United's Champions League qualification hopes.

Manchester City's European ban was lifted earlier on Monday, meaning the team in fifth place will no longer qualify for the competition.

As a result, United now have three games to leapfrog Leicester and get their way into the top four.

JUST IN: Man Utd boss Solskjaer defiant on top four race as Chelsea and Leicester get big let off

Man Utd news: Red Devils are 'favourites' for top-four finish for two reasons - Shearer (Image: GETTY) They are currently sat in fifth place, level on points with Leicester and one behind Chelsea.

United still have to play the Foxes and will leapfrog them with a win, while the Blues still have to face newly-crowned champions Liverpool.

And Shearer explained to Premier League Productions that he still views United - who are unbeaten in 18 games - as the favourites to qualify in third.

He said: "I think they'll be the favourites. They're the team that's going into it with form.

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Related articles Man Utd suffer major double injury blow ahead of Chelsea clash Man Utd boss Solskjaer 'annoyed' after Chelsea stay third in table READ MORE Man Utd player ratings: One star gets 9 but Paul Pogba flops "I know they'll have been disappointed with dropping points, but it's still in their hands.

"They win all three, they go into the top four. They've got the players to do that.

"It'll have been a bit of a blow for them this evening, but they'll dust themselves down and get ready for Thursday."

Shearer also discussed Chelsea's chances, and admitted that their fixture list isn't as kind as United's.

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Shearer continued: "When you look at Chelsea, you'd almost guarantee they'll get three points against Norwich.

"But look at the game after that, they've got Liverpool away.

"So, fixtures-wise, Man Utd have probably got the better of the fixtures."

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