Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that Manchester United remain in the race for the Premier League title.

City's rivals are currently 11 points off the pace, as Arsenal lead the way in the table, with the Citizens residing just one point behind them.

While many have suggested that United may even struggle to secure a top-four position by the end of the campaign, Pellegrini is not ready to rule them out as title challengers.

"The major rivals are the teams that are very near," BBC Sport quotes Pellegrini as saying. "Arsenal sit top, one point on top of us and Chelsea is one point behind.

"But we are absolutely sure Manchester United will continue fighting to the end, because they are used to doing it, and Liverpool and Everton are teams that will continue fighting to the end."

City take on Newcastle United on Sunday.