Jose Mourinho says the structure of Liverpool and Manchester City is the reason the two clubs are streets ahead of their rivals.
Pep Guardiola's Citizens have won back to back Premier League titles and until this season have looked capable of dominating English football indefinitely.
Jurgen Klopp's Reds, meanwhile, tasted Champions League success last season and are in the driving seat to finish first this campaign.
Mourinho has praised the "harmony" at the two clubs, saying there is chemistry between them that stems from the owner to the players, with everyone on the same page working towards the same goal.
"I think the structure of the clubs," Mourinho told The Telegraph.
"When you look at City, for example: the owner, Ferran Soriano [chief executive], Txiki Begiristain [director of football], Pep Guardiola, Pep's staff and then the players.
"This looks like harmony, empathy, chemistry, quality, sharing the same project, sharing the same ideas.
"Liverpool? I also think that Jurgen [Klopp] is in a good position. He is very stable.
"I think he has control of his 'areas'. He is supported by people who think the same way, the structure of the club."
Manchester United finished second under Mourninho in the 2017/18 campaign, six points above Liverpool in fourth.
The Red Devils finished sixth last season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer taking the reins from Mourinho midway through the campaign.
While this season, United are floundering down in seventh, with 16 points accrued from their opening 12 fixtures.
