Sam Allardyce says he favours Manchester United for the title this season. The 62-year-old says Mourinho’s experience will play a big part in his team’s success this season, whilst also sighting rivals Liverpool as contenders for the title – but believes their defence will hinder their chances of winning the league.

Mourinho’s men currently sit top of the table with three wins from three, while Liverpool sit joint second having picked up seven points out of a possible nine.

Liverpool are the in-form team at the moment in the Premier League though, having headed into the international break off the back of a 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal. However, despite praising the Reds’ all-round possession and attacking play, he has highlighted their weakness of defending set pieces as their downfall.

“My only concern about Jurgen Klopp’s side is, defensively, are they sound enough to win the Premier League?” Allardyce told talkSPORT.

“Certainly from a possession, attacking and flair point of view, they have got it all. They have got goals and great energy. But set-pieces against seem to be a big problem for them.”

“No matter how well they play against the opposition they switch off on a set-piece and that could end up costing them a lot of points.”

“The game is played two ways: one is played in possession and one is played out of it. You have got to be masters of both of those if you are going to win the Premier League.”

“The Premier League is generally won – certainly over the last ten,15 years – by the team with the best defensive record.”

Allardyce went on to say that he sees Jose Mourinho’s experience playing a big role in the Red Devils’ chances of winning the Premier League this season. If, like Big Sam, you fancy United’s chances this season – why not head over to Ladbrokes and use this Ladbrokes bonus code.

“Jose has done it before and he has done it many different countries. He knows how to do it,” said Allardyce.

“He knows when and where to change his tactics, to change how the team plays. You have seem it many times.”

“He started he process of being a Jose team last year when they were a whisker away from being a lot better than they finished.”

“There were too many draws and not enough wins and it looks like he has cured their problem – they didn’t score enough goals and their goal record and attack is far better now.”