Pundit changes Premier League title pick and rules out Manchester United
Chris Sutton believes “it’s a three-horse race” for the Premier League title this season and has ruled Manchester United out of the running.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed last January that the target was to win the title again: “That’s the aim, of course.”
The Norwegian followed that up in March and said: “To lift the Premier League trophy again is what we expect, what we’re used to, what we have done so many times. We can’t wait too many years but it’s not going to happen overnight.”
And after adding Raphael Varane, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho in the summer, there’s no doubt Solskjaer’s brief was to seriously challenge the league’s top dogs.
However, former Norwich striker Sutton doubts Solskjaer’s men have got what it takes despite being in the mix after seven games.
United, despite their stuttering form, sit just two points behind leaders Chelsea, with Liverpool a point ahead and neighbours City level on 14 points.
Sutton has for his part, already changed his pick after tipping up Chelsea at the end of September. He now believes the current champions Man City will triumph once more, but he does not think United can challenge.
“It’s a three-horse race in my book, between Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool,” Sutton told the Daily Mail.
“Had Man City signed a striker in the summer, they’d probably have walked this Premier League. Blindfolds and cigarettes may as well have been handed out to their rivals.
“But the fact that Manchester City did not get themselves a [Romelu] Lukaku is where it gets interesting.
“Chelsea did and they are completely in this race. As are Liverpool with Salah, Mane and Jota singing from the same hymn sheet.
“But I don’t consider United to be title contenders this season. They’re guaranteed goals from [Cristiano] Ronaldo but concede too many and Solskjaer still hasn’t got his tactics right.”
After fancying Chelsea last week, the 48-year-old, has now gone cold on Thomas Tuchel’s men.
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Tuchel has a team capable of winning Premier League
Sutton added: “They have strength in depth. We’re talking about the team who won the Champions League last season. And then spent £97.5 million adding a striker to it.
“Romelu Lukaku is looking lean, mean and like he’s got a point to prove to those who sanctioned his 2014 sale away from Stamford Bridge.
“The fact that Chelsea signed him while Manchester City failed to get Harry Kane was a real shot in the arm for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
“Behind Lukaku, they’ve got Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and more.
“They lost to Manchester City in the Premier League, and then to Juventus in the Champions League. That was a blip, as far as Tuchel was concerned.
“The important thing is Chelsea bounced back against Southampton at the weekend, with some help from their B-listers.
“Ruben Loftus-Cheek stood out, and so did sub Ross Barkley. Tuchel cannot say he doesn’t have a team capable of finishing first in the Premier League.”
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