Manchester City news: Rivals United are still title contenders, says Pep Guardiola

While the top four all recorded wins over the weekend, Jose Mourinho’s United were held to a fourth consecutive draw at home - but Guardiola isn't ruling them out just yet

Pep Guardiola won't write off Manchester United just yet (Getty)

Pep Guardiola maintains that rivals Manchester United are still in this season’s Premier League title race – despite sitting 11 points behind league leaders Chelsea.

Guardiola’s side briefly claimed their spot at the top of the league on Saturday after beating Burnley at Turf Moor but were later dethroned by Liverpool, who beat Sunderland, and then Chelsea, who claimed victory over Tottenham on Sunday.

While the top four all recorded wins over the weekend, Jose Mourinho’s United were held to a frustrating draw at home for a fourth consecutive time this season.

For many, Sunday’s result confirmed the belief that the side are simply not up to the task of competing for this season’s title.

But speaking after Manchester City’s game, Guardiola refused to rule out United.

"To be honest [the title race] is Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United," he said. "The league this year is unpredictable and it's going to be decided in the last two or three months.”

The Catalan added that he remains satisfied with his team’s recent performances and position within the league given the rigorous demands of the Champions League.

"We'll have played eight more games - terrible games - in the Champions League than Chelsea and Liverpool and we are there. That's why the first part of the season is so satisfying.

"Playing seven, eight more games in the Champions League, after going to Stoke and West Brom, and to still be with Liverpool and Chelsea, when they don't play in Europe, is good for us.

"This Chelsea side play one time a week. It is easier to prepare well, to recover well, to take full advantage of recovery. This week we played Wednesday and, after that, straight away on Saturday.

"Sometimes it is tough to be focused again, it is tough on us in these kind of games. You have to be mentally and physically prepared to compete."