Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness does not believe Manchester United will mount a serious title challenge this season.

Speaking after the surprise home defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend, Souness made the prediction that the Red Devils’ title hopes will fade in the closing months of the campaign, leaving Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool out in front:

“When you look at the four big teams, Manchester teams, Liverpool, Chelsea, I think three of them are so far from the rest. I think Man United will flirt with success this year when it comes to April or May time, it’ll be three left in the fight and, for everyone else, it’ll be a long old road to catch them up.”

It is definitely a bit early for pundits such as Souness to be writing off United’s chances after just one loss. After all, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are only one point off the top of the Premier League table.

Fans are, though, justifiably concerned about the team’s recent performances. United have had a relatively kind start to the season, having not played any of their main title rivals yet, but they have not been convincing in certain matches.

Souness has never really hidden his dislike of United, though, and fans will be hoping he eats his words by the end of the campaign.