After being set up as a potentially blockbuster title race, the battle for the Premier League crown is quickly in danger of becoming something of a nonevent.
Manchester City look likely to run away with the title at the minute, with Liverpool already all but out of reach. It seems the most likely challenge to Guardiola's side will come from Manchester United, but their manager doesn't even see them as being in the title race.
Speaking after the 3-3 draw with Everton, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his team 'shouldn’t even be considered as title-chasers' this season. Those comments were surprising, especially when the club's were so excited about the prospect of a first real title push in the post-Ferguson era.
You can see what the Norwegian was trying to do. It was clearly an attempt to take the pressure off his players, who have faltered in recent weeks having been built up in the media previous to that. However, not all feel it was the right tactic.
Speaking to The Sun on behalf of GrandNational.org, former Manchester United star Paul Parker said Solskjaer's comments have actually had the opposite effect.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying that Manchester United were not in the title race was a silly comment to make.
Regardless of what team it is, if you are sitting second in the table, and only a few points behind the leader, you must believe you're in the title race...
You have got to keep players as positive as you can and tell them they can win the Premier League.
Some of those players with their egos will be thinking that they will win things at Manchester United, if a manager does not believe it is the case, how is a player ever going to?
Instead of taking the pressure off people, he is adding it...
Manchester United have got to be positive, so there’s no way he should be saying they’re not in the race, they were top of the league two weeks ago.
Manchester United are still battling on a number of front this season, reaching the FA Cup quarter final in midweek thanks to an extra time victory over West Ham.
They will also face Real Sociedad in the Europa League next week, adding to what is looking like a potentially very busy few weeks for the club.
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