Rio Ferdinand couldn’t help but laugh as he asked Pep Guardiola about Manchester United’s title credentials before Manchester City’s win over Newcastle.

United under Erik ten Hag have re-emerged as one of the Premier League’s formidable sides this season after a decade-long decline. The Red Devils were just six points behind rivals City in third with a game in hand prior to the latter’s 2-0 win on Sunday.

Competing with the very best marks a huge shift in United’s fortunes since Guardiola arrived at City, with the famously dubbed ‘noisy neighbours’ firmly establishing themselves as England’s best side in the absence of United in recent years.

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Red Devils legend and BT Sport pundit Ferdinand therefore could not resist getting the thoughts of Guardiola on United’s recent rise, which even saw them lift the League Cup last weekend.

"One of the biggest questions we have is – how do you feel that it is a three-horse race now with Manchester United back in the game?" Ferdinand cheekily asked before laughing.

Fellow pundit and ex-Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott also chuckled, before presenter Lynsey Hipgrave asked the manager: “Do you see it as a three-horse race now?”

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Despite Ferdinand’s blatant fishing, Guardiola revealed how he finally views Ten Hag’s side as serious competitors.

"I said two or three months ago that Manchester is back,” Guardiola said. “The body language, how they celebrate the goals, before in the past it was not like that.

"You felt it, you feel it. It is United, come on, they should be back. The strangest thing about seven years was that they were not there.

"That was a really big surprise for me when I arrived seven years ago."

Guardiola has won nine major trophies since his arrival in England. Meanwhile, United have won just four trophies – an FA Cup, Europa League and two League Cups since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.

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