SINGAPORE — It would be “depressing” for Manchester United players if the club fail to finish among the top-four of the English Premier League and qualify for next season’s Champions League.

That is the view of former United midfield star Park Ji-sung, who believes the Red Devils have every chance to pip arch-rivals Manchester City to that spot.

“We (Manchester United) are just two points behind, and we have a game in hand (as compared to City),” the United club ambassador told TODAY at The Westin Singapore, after a promotional event for haircare brand, Clear.

“That is motivation enough for the players because they know how important is it to play in the Champions League. Without it, it would be quite depressing for the players. They need something, some achievement as professional footballers.”

United took on West Ham this morning and will play their final league game of the season on Sunday against Bournemouth.

If United win both their matches, City — who have just one match left against Swansea on Sunday — will fall to fifth, where the second-tier Europa League beckons.

United’s patchy season is a far cry from Park’s playing days where the Red Devils were perennial title challengers. “I think (the difference between my time at United and now) is that a (certain kind of mentality) is lacking,” said Asia’s most successful footballer, who won four Premier League titles and a Champions League crown during his stint at Old Trafford from 2005 to 2012.

“When I was there, there were many senior players — like Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes — who spent their whole career there. So, they can influence the (new) players who joined them … and help them to adapt to English football quickly, and teach them the United way of playing, and the United (winning) mentality. We have (Wayne) Rooney and (Michael) Carrick now, but two are not enough.” ADELENE WONG