Gary Lineker and Micah Richards Spot the Same Warning Sign About Manchester United Ahead of Everton Clash
Gary Lineker and Micah Richards both highlighted a revealing trend about Manchester United’s turbulent 2025-26 campaign as the club prepares to face Everton at Old Trafford on Monday evening.
United return to Premier League action for the first time since the November international break, carrying an unbeaten run of five matches in all competitions. Their most recent outing ended in dramatic fashion away at Tottenham, where defender Matthijs de Ligt rescued a point with a superb injury-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw.
That late show in north London came on the back of another frustrating performance earlier in the month. Against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, United allowed a 1-0 lead to slip, were forced to chase the game, and eventually settled for yet another 2-2 draw. These back-to-back stalemates—both featuring squandered advantages or last-minute rescues—have underlined both the improvement and the inconsistency within Ruben Amorim’s rejuvenated squad.
Lineker and Richards Highlight United’s Rollercoaster Season
Despite these mixed results, United have shown clear signs of progress under Amorim. In October, the Reds won three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time under the Portuguese manager, sparking optimism that the team had finally found stability.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker pointed out just how tight and unpredictable the current Premier League landscape has become. He noted that United, despite sitting midtable at times, are still within touching distance of the Champions League spots.
“Obviously, if you’re listening to this on the Monday, and the Monday night game is Manchester United versus Everton, if Manchester United win, they’re in the top four,” Lineker said, emphasising how quickly the table can shift.
Micah Richards immediately agreed, remarking: “It just shows you how up and down the season’s been, hasn’t it?” His reaction reflected the sense that no team outside the title contenders has managed to put together a long, consistent run.
Lineker followed up by asking Richards what he thought was behind the chaotic nature of the season. Richards responded: “I think there are more teams at the same level this season. If you look at the start that Man United had, to think they can still go top four says everything.”
Alan Shearer Weighs In on Man Utd’s Surprising Top-Four Opportunity
United currently sit 10th in the Premier League table following the weekend’s fixtures. Yet the picture is far from bleak: they are only three points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa. This narrow gap, despite United’s erratic form, illustrates exactly what Lineker and Richards were discussing.
Alan Shearer, also speaking on the podcast, echoed their observations. He believes the traditional order of the Premier League’s top six has been disrupted, allowing clubs outside the usual elite to narrow the gap.
“The gap’s definitely closed, hasn’t it?” Shearer said. “Even look at teams like Crystal Palace or Bournemouth… the difference isn’t what it used to be. Brighton as well. Obviously Newcastle are there, Villa are there. The whole league feels tighter.”
His comments reinforce the idea that United’s top-four hopes are as dependent on other clubs’ inconsistency as they are on their own progress under Amorim.
United Host Moyes’ Everton in Crucial Monday Night Fixture
Manchester United now turn their attention to Monday night’s clash against David Moyes’ Everton, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm at Old Trafford. A victory would not only extend their unbeaten run but also propel them back into the conversation for a Champions League place—something that seemed unlikely just weeks ago.
With the Premier League table more compressed than ever, Lineker, Richards, and Shearer all agree on one thing: the margins are thin, the competition is fierce, and Manchester United remain right in the mix—despite their flaws.