Manchester United’s rise to third in the Premier League table left Gary Neville among those surprised to see such a small gap to the top two, given they have delivered some “horrible” performances this season that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s position placed under threat.
The 6-2 demolition of Leeds on Sunday put United just a point behind second-placed Leicester City with a game in hand, with victory in that match enough to put them on the tail of defending champions Liverpool with just two points between them if they can seize their chance.
Given Liverpool’s supremacy last season, expectations at Old Trafford this term were of cutting the gap to Jurgen Klopp’s side rather than beating them to the title, but recent form has propelled them into the reckoning - much to the surprise of former United defender Neville.
“For Manchester United it was about closing the gap, no one ever thought they would be in a position to go so close,” he said on his Sky Sports podcast.
“They're going to go second in the league if they can close that gap. It doesn't feel like Manchester United have played like that.
“There has been talk of the manager's job, going out of Europe was a big problem, the performances at times have been horrible.”
But Neville is not allowing himself to raise expectations for how the 2020/21 campaign will play out given the surreal nature of United’s season so far.
A slow start saw United plummet down the Premier League table, only to excel in Europe with victories over Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig. However, as their league form improved, their continental form deserted them, resulting in a Champions League group-stage exit and serious questions emerge over Solskjaer’s future.
Since their drop down to the Europa League was confirmed though, United have recorded back-to-back wins over Sheffield United and Leeds - following a 0-0 draw in the Manchester derby - to continue that rollercoaster season.
But Neville still finds it difficult to see the season ending with a first Premier League title in eight years.
“You just watch them and think there isn't a team emerging there who can challenge for the title,” he added.
“My gut feeling is to still say I don't think Manchester United are going to win the league.
“But I am surprised, it's bizarre where they are considering a couple of weeks ago you were thinking this could be difficult, a challenging period coming into Christmas, but it's looking a little bit rosier.
“Their form's really good. They're scoring goals, coming back in matches, today they've played well, it's a big game against Leicester on Boxing Day, but there's something not right.
“But then when you look at where they are in the league, and they can go two points behind Liverpool, if you'd said at the start of the season they'd be in a position to do that, coming into Christmas, you'd have snapped everyone's hands off.”
