Pep generously includes Man Utd in title talk

Sarah Winterburn

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sweetly suggested that Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United could challenge for the title this season.

United are currently 16 points adrift of leaders Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s Anfield clash but Guardiola has mentioned them as possible title rivals.

Guardiola was asked whether there is a desire within England – not just from Liverpool – for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds to win the title for the first time in 28 years, he said: “I don’t know. Liverpool and United are the two biggest clubs in England and 28 years without winning the league is many, many years.

“I would say the position [they are in], with the manager and the players they have, they will be up for the challenge to write their own history.

 “For them it’s so important, but more than that they are a top side, a top team and for the last eight or nine years they are playing really well, so competitive and losing few points.

“They are going to drop very few points, so that’s why we have to be there close to them to catch up.

“We just try to win every game to be there and when you are in front to try and keep the momentum.

“The opponents are good, not just Liverpool. I think Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and even Manchester United could make a good run and join us.

“We knew it from the beginning, the level has increased. The feeling we have, everybody has that feeling.

“It’s not just Manchester City that will have the feeling of [worrying] about dropping points, that’s why everybody is giving extra.”