Mark Lawrenson is backing Manchester United to sign off for the season with a 2-0 win over Cardiff City in the Premier League on Sunday. The Red Devils have endured a disappointing end to the campaign and they have missed out on a top-four finish in the Premier League under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Manchester United have struggled to find consistent form all season and they currently find themselves in sixth place in the table and having won just one of their last five outings in the top flight. With nothing but pride left to play for, the Red Devils will welcome Cardiff City to Old Trafford on Sunday as they look to end the season on a positive note. And former Liverpool FC star Lawrenson is backing the Red Devils to claim a comfortable victory in front of their home fans on Sunday afternoon. Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Lawrenson said: “Manchester United are facing a huge summer in terms of which players stay or leave the club. “It would be a huge job for a seasoned manager, let alone Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who does not have much experience but will stand or fall by what he decides over those ins and outs. “In terms of the game, well, Cardiff will have a bit of a go but United should beat them. “But there is nothing riding on the result – it is what happens next that is important, and the same applies to the Bluebirds. “I think their hopes of making an instant return to the top flight rely on whether Neil Warnock stays on when his contract ends, which is after this game. “Warnock has an outstanding record in the Championship and he does not have to spend fortunes to get his teams up. “If he is still in charge next season, I think they will be very competitive, if he is not, then I would not be too sure about where they will finish.” Manchester United will likely be linked with a host of players this summer as they look to try and revamp their squad ahead of next season. The Red Devils have now ended the second season in a row without winning a trophy, after their Europa League and League Cup triumphs under Jose Mourinho in 2017. MORE: Latest Manchester United news and views MORE: Football transfer rumours and gossip<doc-sep>Another disappointing season ends with Manchester United needing to beat already-relegated Cardiff while hoping Arsenal fail to win. In this scenario Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side will finish fifth and so enter the Europa League group phase in September rather than in a preliminary round, maybe as early as late July. This all illustrates how far United have fallen and what a long way back it is for the club. Jamie Jackson Sunday 3pm Venue Old Trafford Last season n/a Referee Jon Moss This season G26 Y87 R5 3.54 cards/game Odds H 1-4 A 12-1 D 25-4 MANCHESTER UNITED Subs from Grant, Pereira, Herrera, Rojo, Sánchez, Fred, Darmian, Garner, McTominay, Dalot, Martial, Chong, Greenwood, Jones, Levitt, Valencia Doubtful Lingard, Lukaku, Greenwood, Valencia (all match fitness), Rashford (shoulder), Sánchez (ankle) Injured Bailly (knee, unknown), Romero (knee, unknown) Suspended None Discipline Y70 R4 Form LWLLDD Leading scorer Pogba 13 CARDIFF Subs from B Murphy, Smithies, Ward, Hoilett, Richards, Healey, Cunningham, Zahore, Harris, Damour, Niasse, Arter Doubtful Arter (calf), Camarasa (leg) Injured Paterson (ankle, Jul), Ralls (hamstring, Jul), Bamba (knee, unknown) Suspended None Discipline Y63 R1 Form LLWLLL Leading scorers Camarasa, Reid 5<doc-sep>
Paul Merson is backing Manchester United to end a disappointing season by claiming a 3-0 win over Cardiff City in the Premier League on Sunday. The Red Devils have struggled to find consistent form in the Premier League this term and they are currently in sixth place in the table after having missed out on a top-four finish. Manchester United have lost two, drawn two and only won one of their last five Premier League games after a dramatic slump in form following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s appointment as the club’s new permanent manager in March. Solskjaer will be keen for his side to sign off for the Premier League season in style by claiming a home win over Cardiff City in front of their fans at Old Trafford on Sunday. And former Arsenal star Merson is not expecting the Red Devils to have any problems against Cardiff City in their final game of the season. Writing in his column for Sky Sports, Merson said: “I had them to beat Huddersfield 4-0, and probably Cardiff by the same scoreline. “If they’d won against Huddersfield you’d have half-fancied them to get into the Champions League because after midweek you’d not be sure about Tottenham. “But now they’ll be going out without fear and play, but United need a big win, put on a show, and get people going home thinking ‘next season we’ve got a chance’.” Manchester United are bound to be linked with a host of players in the summer transfer window after another trophyless campaign for the Red Devils. The Red Devils finished in second place in the Premier League table last season and without a trophy under Jose Mourinho. MORE: Latest Manchester United news and views MORE: Football transfer rumours and gossip