Andrew Cole is adamant his former team Manchester United have no chance of winning the Premier League this season.
United picked up their first piece of silverware since 2017 with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
They also remain in the hunt for the Europa League after defeating Barcelona, while Erik ten Hag's team face West Ham on Wednesday for a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
In the league, United sit third – eight points off leaders Arsenal – but Cole is certain that, despite their fine form in 2023, they will not challenge for the title.
Speaking to Stats Perform, he said: "If you look at the teams in front of them in Manchester City and Arsenal, Manchester City would have to capitulate and so would Arsenal.
"Man City's form has been very indifferent this season and Arsenal at the present moment are scratching through and getting results.
"So for Man United to win the league, those teams would have to capitulate and Manchester United would have to win virtually every game from now until the end of the season.
"That is a tall order, especially with the games coming up.
"I'd be very happy for us to finish in the top four which we have a great chance of doing. We're still in Europa League, we are still in the FA Cup and then go from there.
"But I think if you set the priorities at the start of the season, to talk about winning the league, everyone would have said, 'Nah you're mad, actually mad, not a chance.' So what's changed?"
City hammered Bournemouth on Saturday but had previously slipped up against Nottingham Forest, with Arsenal reclaiming top spot.
Arsenal have the opportunity to move five points clear at the top of the table when they play struggling Everton on Wednesday.
Yet Cole, who won five titles with United, believes the experience of reigning champions City will help them to triumph over Mikel Arteta's side.
He added: "I'm still going for Man City – they've got the experience, they've won it numerous times before. Their form has been so indifferent this season but at some stage, they're going to catch fire.
"Arsenal at this present moment, are at this time getting results but not playing particularly well – whoever's at the top of the league will always go for a little blip.
"United have done it at the start of this season. Chelsea have actually imploded, Tottenham – exactly the same thing.
"It feels a little bit like when Leicester won the league. It wasn't down to Leicester being a good team, it's about the teams around them just for whatever reason, couldn't get themselves going to get themselves in a position to win the league, and Leicester were very consistent.
"That's why they won it, as simple as that. So we'll have to wait and see."
'Please, doubt us' – Dias dares Man City's critics
Ruben Dias has dared Manchester City's critics to "doubt us" after the Premier League champions' four-game losing streak.
Pep Guardiola lost four straight matches in all competitions for the first time in his managerial career as City capitulated in a 2-1 loss to Brighton on Saturday.
That loss came on the back of a 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP – coached by new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim – in the Champions League, as well as a reverse to Bournemouth in the Premier League and an EFL Cup exit at the hands of Tottenham.
City are five points behind league leaders Liverpool, but Dias shrugged off the doubters.
"I would say, please doubt us, doubt us, feel welcome to do so," the centre-back told reporters.
"When we did the treble, we even called it the dark January. We had a tough period. But it is what it is.
"What matters is how you bounce back from these moments. That's why our team has won so much because in moments of difficulty, the characters come up and we stay together.
"We don't find people to kill, we find people to bring into the cause and fight together.
"That's what we need to do once again. Until it's done, it's not done."
City's losing run combined with Liverpool's excellent form has seen a swing in the Opta supercomputer's predictions.
The model now has Liverpool as the favourites, with a 60.3% chance of winning the title.
'Legend' Van Nistelrooy departs Man Utd after Amorim arrival
Manchester United have confirmed Ruud van Nistelrooy has departed the club following Ruben Amorim's arrival at Old Trafford.
Van Nistelrooy returned to the club in July on a two-year contract as an assistant to Erik ten Hag.
He was placed in interim charge after Erik ten Hag's dismissal last month.
The 48-year-old oversaw four games during his temporary tenure, earning victories over Leicester City in the EFL Cup and PAOK in the Europa League. United were then held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea, but Van Nistelrooy signed off in style with a 3-0 win over the Foxes in the Premier League on Sunday.
But Amorim, who began his new role on Monday, has decided against retaining the Dutchman's services, with the club saying the full men's first team coaching composition will be announced in due course.
"Ruud is and always will be a Manchester United legend," the club said in a statement.
"We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford."
Assistant Rene Hake, goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar and analyst Pieter Morel have also left the club.
However, former United midfielder Darren Fletcher will remain in his coaching role and continue his link between the first team and the academy.
Pereira replaces Amorim as Sporting head coach
Sporting CP have confirmed Joao Pereira as the club's new head coach following Ruben Amorim's departure to Manchester United.
Pereira, who made 154 appearances across three different spells with Sporting, has put pen to paper on a deal that runs through until 2027 with the Primeira Liga champions.
The 40-year-old also appeared five times under Amorim during the 2020-21 season, a campaign that saw Sporting claim their first top-flight title in 19 years.
Pereira has previously managed Sporting's Under-23 side, taking charge of 53 games and winning 20 of those (D17 L16), averaging 1.45 points per match.
He most recently took charge of Sporting's B team, but oversaw just 11 matches, and he is relishing the opportunity of leading the club after the international break.
"As a player, Sporting gave me a lot, allowing me to play for the national team, join one of the best leagues in the world and return home twice," Pereira said.
"I only repaid them with a Super Cup and a national championship, which felt more like their gift to me.
"That’s something I regret, so as a coach I’d like to repay them with more titles because Sporting deserve it.
"If I had doubts and thought things might go wrong, I wouldn’t be here. It hasn’t even crossed my mind that it could go poorly.
"I know we’ll face challenges, but I believe it will go well."
But Pereira has a tough act to follow, with Amorim ending his glittering stint with the club on a high after a 4-2 win over Braga on Sunday.
Amorim won 164 of his 231 games in charge of Sporting, averaging a win percentage of 71%, which is a club record.
During his time in charge, only Manchester City (127) won more matches than his Sporting team (122) across Europe's top 10 leagues.
"Ruben leaves behind a legacy, and that legacy isn’t only in titles, victories, and records but also in the unity he built among the Sporting family," Pereira added.
"I know this brings great responsibility, but that responsibility comes hand-in-hand with a strong ambition and motivation to continue making Sporting a winning club with a bright future.”
Pereira's first assignment will come in the Taca de Portugal against fourth-tier side Amarante on November 22, before welcoming Arsenal to the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the Champions League five days later.
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