Can Manchester United still win the Premier League title?

Tuesday 22 November 2016 13:02, UK

We asked the Soccer Saturday pundits whether Manchester United can still win the Premier League following their latest slip-up.

Jose Mourinho's men ended the weekend nine points behind leaders Chelsea after failing to beat Arsenal at Old Trafford, leaving them with just five wins from 12 this season.

That result also prompted Sky Bet to push their title odds out from 25/1 to 33/1, with little between favourites Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool at the head of the betting.

Here are the Soccer Saturday pundits' verdicts as to whether United are already out of the title race...

Matt Le Tissier: In a word, yes

"Jeff asked me the question on Saturday that if they had lost to Arsenal would they have been out of the title race and I said I thought they already were.

"They're well off the top sides in terms of the the points and quality of players. The performances that we've seen so far haven't been that of title contenders.

"I think if you asked most Manchester United fans right now then I think they'd bite your hand off for fourth place."

Paul Merson: I'm not writing them off

"Their odds tell you everything! I said at the start of the season it would be an achievement to make the top four and I still think they're players short.

"However, I thought they played well at the weekend, they'd just beaten Swansea convincingly and if they play like they did against Arsenal every week then they'll climb the table.

"I wouldn't like to count them out just yet. Liverpool drew at Southampton and Manchester City nearly dropped points at Crystal Palace so it's not as though anyone is running away with it."

Charlie Nicholas: There's five better teams

"I think they're out of the title trace. There are too many better teams than them. I don't agree with Jose Mourinho that they're the most unlucky team in the league.

"They've not won the games they've dominated which tells you they're not clinical enough. That's not luck.

"They're not strong enough up the back and for me the five sides above them are all stronger sides than them.

"Unless they do something in January, I can't see them challenging the title race and I think it would be a success for them to finish in the top four."

Phil Thompson: Too early to dismiss United

"No, I don't think so for a couple of reasons, one being it's Manchester United. Secondly, it's too early and we've still got the January transfer window.

"All of those top teams, the big six or seven, are going to take points off each other. It's going to be a lot more difficult for them because of the points but it's certainly not impossible.

"You've got to look at Chelsea v Tottenham coming up next weekend - somebody above them is going to drop points, so with how wide open it is you can't discount them at this stage."

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