Former Manchester United midfielder and academy director Nicky Butt believes his old club have overtaken great rivals Liverpool on the pitch - but are still lagging behind in their work off the field.
He made 387 appearances for the club, winning six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League in the 1999 Treble-winning season, before moving to Newcastle.
"United have gone past Liverpool football-wise," Butt said.
"Liverpool have a big job on their hands in the summer with recruitment. Their midfield looks ageing. Their best players aren't performing and don't look the same.
"Jurgen Klopp is great and I think he will get the right players in, so they could come back next season but United have overtaken them on the pitch, which is great credit to Ten Hag. He seems to have it all sorted out.
"He knows what he wants and has the respect of people above him to let him make decisions.
"They could even go in the back door and win the league because City are hiccupping every two minutes and while I actually think Arsenal will last the distance, they could slip off.
"But I wouldn't say United are back. Not a chance. If you look at the fundamentals of the club, United are behind Liverpool. The recruitment team has a big job on its hands to get to the next level. Being fourth is not Manchester United.
"I remember we used to finish second and were told if it happened again the next season we would be sold. Sold!
"You can say it's the old days but that was the mentality of the club back then. if you were going to finish second you may as well finish seventh."
