Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has rated Manchester United's chances of ending their eight-year wait for a league title with Premier League glory this season.
After a shaky start to the campaign, United embarked on an impressive 13-game unbeaten run to rise from 15th to the top of the table.
But they have faltered in their last two outings, losing 2-1 at home to Sheffield United and drawing 0-0 at Arsenal.
The dropped points have allowed local rivals Manchester City to grab top spot and establish a three-point lead with a game in hand.
And while Gerrard praised the Red Devils for the "massive strides" they have made recently, he insists they are "a couple of pieces short" of a title-winning side.
"United still seem a work in progress. You can see they have made massive strides," the former England midfielder told the Daily Mail .
"Bruno Fernandes has given everyone a massive boost. He has put confidence around the team, a bit similar to the way Virgil Van Dijk did at Liverpool.
"You still look and think they could be a couple of pieces short but they are definitely much further along than where they were a couple of years back."
Now in charge at Rangers, Gerrard also opened up on conversations he has had with United's legendary former boss, Sir Alex Ferguson.
But the 40-year-old insists he does not focus on one style of management, instead trying to take on board the approaches of a wide plethora of coaches.
"I don't think you can nail yourself to one philosophy and say 'this is the way I want to be' or 'this is what I want people to say about my teams from now to the end of my journey in coaching'," said Gerrard.
The former midfielder added: "I don't want to nail myself to one sentence that sums up my philosophy.
"When you talk about Sarriball and Bielsaball and Gegenpressing, those are media narratives about their identity.
"If I end up with an identity like that further on in my career, then great, but for me it's about being able to adapt your philosophy for what's in front of you."
Do you agree with Steven Gerrard's verdict on Manchester United's title credentials? Have your say in the comments.
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