Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes his former side will win the Europa League and finish in the top four of the Premier League this season.

The Reds are currently fifth in the Premier League standings with 52 points, four points behind Liverpool with two games in hand, and are now set to face Anderlecht in the quarter-finals of the Europa League in April.

The 42-year-old believes the Red Devils have to take five out of six points in their three away games to stand a chance of finishing in the top four.

‘It has to be one of those ways, but I think, both ways, they will do it. The league is going to be tough and they have got three crucial away games at Arsenal, Tottenham and Man City,’ Scholes told the Manchester United website.

‘If they can come out of them with five, possibly six points, then I think it will be very good and that will set them up for the top four.’

Scholes went on to say that he thinks United are favourites to win the Europa League, with Ligue 1 side Lyon their main competition for the trophy.

‘With the Europa League, I think they are rightly favourites. They are by far the biggest club left in it and have probably got the best squad,’ he added.

‘Lyon could potentially be the team they have to worry about and it is not going to be straightforward, but they have got a great chance of winning the Europa League.’

The Englishman says he has enjoyed watching United play this season and feels Jose Mourinho’s side are playing the kind of football most Red Devil supports appreciate.

‘The last couple of years were a little bit tough to watch and I think he has steadied the ship now. They are a team that is exciting again,’ Scholes concluded.

‘The league position should probably be a little bit better than it is really, they have dropped some really silly points, especially at home, but they are creating chances and they look like a United team everybody expects and wants to watch again.’

Manchester United are now set to welcome West Bromwich Albion to Old Trafford when the Premier League returns on Saturday.

Kick-off has been scheduled for 16:00.

Image: Manchester United website