SAD BUTT TRUE

We're 'way off' winning title says old boy Nicky

- DAVID MCDONNELL

NICKY BUTT believes Manchester United are still "way off" from challenging for the title and has called for Erik ten Hag to be given time to resurrect the team.

United have lost two of their opening three Premier League games and stand 14th in the table with Ten Hag under pressure and facing calls to be sacked.

Former United midfielder Butt, who made 387 United appearances in a glittering career that yielded six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League, provided his old club with a brutal reality check with his assessment of where they are.

"It's going to take a long time," said Butt. "I think any Manchester United fan is lying if they think they're going to be challenging for the Premier League this year because they're not.

"The manager has put together a squad that's going to have to get together and learn a way of playing, to be successful and that's going to take time.