‘Winning machine’ Manchester United backed a potential Premier League title charge in the second half of the season as Arsenal were on the verge of a ‘sticky spell’

Manchester United have been backed to mount a charge for their first Premier League title since 2013 after beating Bournemouth 3-0.

That’s according to talkSPORT’s Micky Gray, who was lyrical about the Red Devils after their fourth straight Premier League victory.

Goals from Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford sealed a comfortable win for United who were a class above the Cherries at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag’s side, who sit fourth in the table on goal difference, now trail Arsenal by nine points after the Gunners were held 0-0 to Newcastle.

United are the most in-form side in the Premier League – and Gray believes they cannot be considered legitimate title contenders.

And with Arsenal hosting United in the Emirates later this month, Ten Hag’s men have the chance to further close the gap with the north Londoners.

Gray also predicted Mikel Arteta’s side would have a “sticky spell” at some point in this campaign despite winning 14 of their 17 Premier League games.

Speaking on talkSPORT comments, the former England international said: “You look at what’s going on at Manchester United and where they are in the Premier League table, they’re just a winning machine in this moment.

“Being able to rotate the squad, which obviously helps United going forward, but some of the goals, absolutely top class and brilliant performances.”

Pressed by Adrian Durham on United being the only team to beat Arsenal this season, Gray remarked: “Are we writing Manchester United to go and win that Premier League title?

“Because all I hear is ‘Arsenal or Man City are going to win the title’.

“Well, they have to go and play Manchester United again against Arsenal, obviously Man City have to play them again.

“We don’t know what the results will be and if you just start closing that gap at the end of the season you know what the pressure brings, and that makes some individual players nervous when you haven’t won a title in so long.

“And I know Man United haven’t done it for a while, but Arsenal haven’t done it for almost 20 years now.

“So this second half of the season is going to be very, very entertaining, very exciting, and I can’t wait for that.”

He continued: “You can’t write anyone off at this part of the season, you look at this result and I think Arsenal cleared the ground with Newcastle, but they weren’t able to take three points.

“They are going to have more tests like Arsenal because of the way they play, I think the teams will settle and it will be difficult for them to break them down.

“We don’t know how much they will miss Gabriel Jesus if they don’t do any business in the January window.

“As the season continues, when we get to the final stages, the Man United team is very healthy and very strong, there is competition for places.

“As we know Manchester City and Newcastle have fantastic momentum at the moment.

“I think you look at these three teams below Arsenal and you can’t undo them.

“Arsenal are going to have a tricky time in the season, we don’t know when it’s going to happen, it could be the first game it starts, we don’t know.

“So until they have that moment, let’s not rule anyone out.”

But Ten Hag declined to comment on a possible title tilt in his post-match interview, saying, “We have to go from game to game.

“The next game is a [FA] cut one [vs Everton]but we want to win every game.

“That must be the approach. We don’t want to look any further, focus on that, it’s going to be a tough game.

“We need all the energy for preparation and kick-off on Friday evening.”