‘I’ve got a horrible feeling’ – Nicky Butt changes title prediction after Man Utd beat Liverpool

Former Manchester United star Nicky Butt says he has a ‘horrible feeling’ Manchester City will go on a run and restore their status as English champions for an 11th time this term.

City will have been intent on putting last season behind them after seeing their defence crumble in the Premier League, with Liverpool storming to the title in Arne Slot’s first year at the helm.

Pep Guardiola’s men endured a worrying start to the new campaign, though, as they slumped to a pair of defeats – at the hands of Tottenham and Brighton – in their opening three matches.

However, City have gone unbeaten in the English top flight since, dropping points on only one occasion when Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic late equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Arsenal last month.

Victories over Burnley, Brentford and Everton mean City now sit second, three points adrift of top-of-the-table Arsenal and one point better off than a desperately out-of-sorts Liverpool.

On the basis of their record-breaking transfer business in the summer, many had fancied a new-look Liverpool to simply blow all opposition away on course to another title win.

But the Reds’ big-money signings have flattered to deceive since arriving through the doors at Anfield – and their latest setback at home to Manchester United was the champions’ fourth successive defeat in all competitions.

‘I always thought Liverpool [would win the title this year] because of the size of the squad,’ Butt said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast following United’s first win at Anfield since 2016.

‘Obviously Liverpool are having a hiccup now but when they get going, which they will do, no one will beat them.

‘They’re a very, very good squad and the bench… the amount of forwards they’ve got.

‘But I’ve just got a horrible feeling for City.’

Erling Haaland appears to have returned to his frightening best in recent weeks, with the striker taking his tally to 11 goals in eight games with a quickfire double against Everton on Saturday.

[He’s scoring] in a so-called struggling team who aren’t firing on all cylinders,’ Butt said of the Norwegian’s extraordinary goalscoring exploits.

‘So that’s why I think they will [win the title].’

However, Butt – a six-time Premier League winner with Manchester United – warned City fans that Haaland’s future could be inextricably tied to that of Guardiola.

‘I think it all depends on if Pep waits around. If Pep’s around, I think he will stay,’ the ex-England midfielder continued.

‘If Pep goes, I think that would be an invitation for the bigger players to leave.’

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