Wayne Rooney has said that he expects this season's title race to come down to Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

While Sir Alex Ferguson's side and the Blues have both been dominant forces in recent years, Manchester City are currently the only team other than United to have taken maximum points from all of their league fixtures so far.

However, the 25-year-old insists that he fully believes that his side can finish first once again.

"I think it will be the most open and exciting title race for years and the top three will be United, Man City and Chelsea," he told The Sun. "I definitely think it will be between the three of us.

"Liverpool have spent a lot of money and they'll be pushing for the top four at least. Arsenal have struggled but have now brought in some new players and they're normally very consistent - and Spurs can go well again.

"But I'm backing United obviously and after that it doesn't matter who finishes where."

No English side has won more league titles than the Red Devils, who surpassed Liverpool's record of 18 at the end of last season.