Man Utd news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent warning, top four prediction made

That is according to BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson.

United have started brilliantly under interim boss Solskjaer, who took to the helm last week following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.

The 45-year-old, who is on loan from Norwegian club Molde, has so far overseen wins against Cardiff and Huddersfield, and is primed to maintain that 100 per cent record as the Red Devils welcome out-of-form Bournemouth to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Key to the manager’s success has been his verve for attacking football and letting the squad’s flamboyant players, such as Paul Pogba, express themselves.

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Heading into Sunday’s fixture, United sit eight points off fourth-place Chelsea, who play at lunchtime and could apply pressure by extending that gap.

After missing out on Champions League qualification for the first time in their history due to David Moyes’ ill-fated 2013/14 season, United have only had to go without it once more, during the 2016/17 campaign, when they secured qualification through winning the Europa League.

With table-toppers Liverpool out of sight, United are focused on sealing a top-four finish.

Former Liverpool centre-back Lawrenson is doubtful of that goal, however, regardless of Solskjaer’s positive start.

“Manchester United are on a roll with two wins out of two under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,” Lawrenson told BBC Sport.

“But I still think it is going to be very difficult for them to make the top four.

“United have improved because they have got so much quality in their squad and so many of their players had a point to prove, but how long does that last for?”

United can only tackle their pursuit one game at a time, and the Cherries represent their next test.

Lawrenson believes Solskjaer’s men will come through 2-0 winners on Sunday evening, after winning the reverse fixture 2-1 back in November thanks to Marcus Rashford’s injury-time winner.

“I do think they will beat Bournemouth, who are on a terrible run of eight defeats from their past 10 games,” the Liverpool legend added.

“But there are tougher tests to come – such as their trip to Wembley to play Spurs on 13 January.

“The Cherries’ form has fallen away since the start of November, when they conceded a last-gasp winner against United – it has all gone horribly wrong for them since then.”