Why Paul Merson believes Sheffield United are "massive players" in race for Champions League alongside Chelsea and Manchester United

The former Arsenal and Aston Villa man made the admission after Monday night's clash between Manchester United and Chelsea, who are also competing for a top-five place after Manchester City's two-year UEFA ban was handed down last week.

United face Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, while two European rivals in Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur face each other this weekend.

And Merson, writing in his Sky Sports column today, said: "Watching last night, Sheffield United are massive players in the Champions League race. With Manchester United, you're talking about one of the biggest clubs in the world not having a centre forward.

"They're playing with Daniel James up front, who sooner or later has to be taken out of the team. You feel sorry for the lad, now. He looks a bit lost if I'm honest - he needs a break.

"When you look at Chelsea, you're not going to get into the top four with Michy Batshuayi up front. He's not good enough, so you're looking at two teams who are so weak up front, that I honestly think Sheffield United have every chance this season. Neither Chelsea nor Manchester United seem to have the guile to break teams down.

"I know Tottenham create chances and score goals but I look back at the Aston Villa game, and they were on the rack at 1-0. For 30 minutes, Villa were all over them, and if they go 2-0 up, it's a different game. Spurs only won through bad defending.

"I give Sheffield United every chance as these teams aren't dominant anymore. You're talking about three of the biggest clubs in the league - Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea - and one injury means they've not got a centre forward.

"You look at Sheffield United, they've got three or four centre forwards. They're not top-drawer strikers but they can come in when someone's injured. You won't see them playing with no centre forward up front."