Jamie Carragher claims Manchester United would win the league under Pep Guardiola

Jamie Carragher has claimed that Manchester United would win the title if they were managed by Pep Guardiola.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, the former Liverpool defender questions Jose Mourinho's recent suggestion that the difference between his United side and runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City is money spent on players. While Carragher says 'lavish spending' is part of City's transfer policy, he points out that the reason they are ahead of United this season is because Guardiola has developed the players available to him. In contrast, he claims Mourinho is becoming increasingly reliant on his more experienced players to perform.

'If you want to evolve a club or a team, you don’t call Mourinho. He is a coach who navigates his way to silverware with teams that have the raw materials – something he has already achieved at United with two trophies in his first season. His reputation as a world-class coach is based on his ability to find a way to win.'

Carragher goes on to compare how Guardiola is delivering 'in the short-term with an eye on further development' while Mourinho is 'now about an instant hit'. Finally, Carragher also adds that Mourinho's recent comments are also a concern for United supporters. 'When he picks fights with his own players, supporters and board members it becomes a tired act and sounds like he is making excuses,' he writes. 'Everyone becomes exhausted by the agitation. Usually, it ends one way.' United dropped more points in their last outing, which saw them salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley after trailing 2-0 at half-time. This allowed City to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 15 points with their victory at Newcastle the following night.