No spark ... but Reds are right in the title race

IT’S good and bad for United going into the New Year.

Good of course that United are chasing down Liverpool at the top of the table … but bad that we’re playing so poorly.

The narrow win against Wolves was the worst I have seen us play under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

We were frankly boring – and that’s not something anyone should be saying about the Reds.

Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and man-of-the-moment Marcus Rashford need to take a good look at themselves and think about doing better in 2021.

It has been, despite all the problems, a fascinating season – it’s the tightest battle at the top of the Premier League that I can remember.

Liverpool are, like City, struggling for consistency, summed up by their disappointing draw to West Brom.

However Betfred have Jurgen Klopp’s men still favourites at 11/10 to retain the title, ahead of City at 2/1, United 7/1, Tottenham 16/1, Chelsea 25/1, Leicester 40/1, Everton 50/1 and Aston Villa at 80/1.

Rashford may reckon it is stupid to talk about United as title contenders but the facts speak for themselves. We are right in the mix and I have always thought the Betfred odds back in the summer when the Reds were 20/1 to knock Liverpool off their perch (again) were on the generous side.

Turning to the Betfred Super League, and although Salford have lost coach Ian Watson to Huddersfield, my hometown club have made a statement of intent with the eye-catching signing of New Zealand international Elijah Taylor on a two-year-old.

The 30-year-old has said how he has always wanted to play in Super League – and with his experience, I’m sure he will play a key role in helping develop some of the younger players at the club.

Salford are now 50/1 at Betfred to win the 2021 Grand Final, while Saints and Wigan remain joint 5/2 favourites – while the Wire are handily placed at 7/1.