Man Utd aren’t 'direct competition' for Liverpool, City are – Barnes rules Red Devils out of title race

Manchester United are not “direct competition” for Liverpool in the Premier League title race, claims John Barnes, with Manchester City considered to be the only club that can prevent the Reds from defending their crown.

The playing field has started to level out this season, with the chasing pack closing in, and United have moved to the top of the table as they seek to bring an eight-year wait for English top-flight glory to a close.

Liverpool can, however, move back to the summit with victory over their old adversaries at Anfield on Sunday and Barnes is not convinced that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s rejuvenated Red Devils can last the pace.

The Reds legend told BonusCodeBets: “Liverpool arenot in direct competitionwith Manchester United inmy opinion. Liverpool are only in competition with Manchester City for the title.

“There is of course competition because it’s Liverpool versus Manchester United and all of the history that comes with it, they are the two biggest clubs in the Premier League.

“But in reality, in terms of the favourites to win theleague, it iswhoever finishes higherthan Liverpool or ManchesterCity.

“It’sgood for Manchester United thateven after gettingknocked out of the League Cup, by not progressing in the Champions League they’re actually managing some consistency in the league.

“But of course, that can change if theylose one or two matches because we still understand that the harmony of Manchester United isn’t completely right.

“There are question marks about Paul Pogba, is Ole the right manager for them?Westill aren’t sure.

“If Manchester Unitedreally wanted tomake a big push, they should all get behind the managerand support the cause, because they haven’t done that.Bad news stories have to stop coming out to Manchester Unitedfor them to maintain further consistency.”