Antonio Conte has ruled Manchester United out of the title race ahead of Tottenham's showdown with Manchester City this week.
Spurs, who were comprehensively beaten in the north London derby by Arsenal on Sunday, travel to the Etihad on Thursday night just days after Pep Guardiola's side were stunned by Manchester United in their own derby.
Both sides will be desperate to make amends: especially City, who have now fallen eight points behind Arsenal in the title race. Their 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford also allowed United to close the gap on them in the table, with Erik ten Hag's side now just a point behind the reigning champions.
That has led to talk in some quarters that United are now in contention for the title - but Conte has refuted that. The Italian, who was speaking after the north London derby, wrote off United's title hopes by insisting that Arsenal and Manchester City are the only two sides who are capable of winning the Premier League this season.
"About the performance, I'm not disappointed," Conte said after watching his side lose 2-0 against Arsenal. "I'm not disappointed because we knew the game could be really difficult because Arsenal are a really strong team, and also tonight showed they deserve to stay top of the league. They deserve to be title contenders. In my opinion, Arsenal and City, they are the only two teams that can fight for the Premier League in this season.
"Now we have to move on. We know that on Thursday we have to go to play another difficult game against City, against the other team I consider will fight for the title."
Despite Conte's verdict, United are one of the Premier League's form teams and could cut the gap to Arsenal to just six points with a victory over the Gunners when they meet in a mouthwatering clash next weekend.
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Ten Hag was keen to play down any talk of an unexpected title challenge after Saturday's dramatic victory in the Manchester derby.
Former Old Trafford favourite Gary Neville also predicted that United wouldn't win the title, but he was adamant that they are in contention - and even tipped them to finish ahead of current leaders, Arsenal.
Speaking on his own podcast, Neville said: "I would love Man United to win it [the title], but I don't think that's going to happen this season. The reality of it is, I think at some point Man City will hit a run. Once they do, they've got to play Arsenal twice.
"If Erling Haaland starts to kick on, if City start to purr, if the defence starts to shore up a bit more than it has done - and they need Ruben Dias back if they can - I think City will win it. At some point, there will be a very difficult period for Arsenal this season. Is it conceivable that Arsenal are going to continue as they are? I don't think it is."
