"The top teams are losing games and more points than ever through the early part of the season," said the veteran Scotsman.

"That gives rise to the hope that it could be a very competitive league. But my experience tells me that two teams break away towards the last part of the season.

"I could toss a coin and that could be my best chance of deciding who could break into the top four out of Tottenham, Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester City with all the money they have.

"That's a difficult competition in itself and any one of them is capable of doing that."

United are currently third of the Premier League table with 25 points from 12 games, five adrift of leaders Chelsea.