Manchester United are ready for derby against Liverpool, asserts Nemanja Matic

After a torrid start to their Premier League season, few expected Manchester United to be anyway near the chasing pack for the league title, let alone leading it. But that is exactly where the Red Devils sit, with their latest win over Burnley pushing them to the top of the Premier League table for the first time since 2012. However, it also sets up a tasty clash against Liverpool, with the duo set to lock horns on Sunday in a game that could potentially define the title race.

It has many fans, critics and even neutrals excited about it but despite Liverpool’s form and injuries, the Reds could still cause serious problems for the Red Devils. That has seen Nemanja Matic admit the same, as the Serbian believes that Manchester United can compete with the reigning English top tier Champions. The midfielder further added that their presence at the top of the table is not down to luck but instead the quality of the team.

“I think this kind of win shows that we are ready to compete for the title. I’m happy for the team performance and spirit and let’s see Sunday against Liverpool. It’s the biggest derby in England and we go there to compete with them and see where we are against one of the best teams in the league. I think we are ready. We played 17 games we are top of the table. That shows something,” Matic told MUTV. 

"We didn’t play five or six games and you can say maybe it’s lucky. But, after 17 games, definitely it is not lucky, definitely there is quality. But we cannot relax, we need to be concentrated until the end – to go game by game. In football, the next one is always important; the next one is the biggest final, and we will see.”