Former Newcastle United and England captain Alan Shearer has said that Manchester United have "no chance" of finishing in the top four in the Premier League table this season.

Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool has left United in sixth position, 11 points off fourth-placed Chelsea.

The Red Devils are 19 points behind leaders Liverpool, meanwhile, and Shearer has said that United 'could not cope' with Jurgen Klopp's side at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

"It's nowhere near good enough. Get in the top four? They've got no chance. No chance. Manchester United have a big decision to make. They could come out and back the manager - and back him big - in January," Shearer told The Sun.

"If they don't, that would be very telling as to the direction things are heading. That's if he makes it to January. It's tough going to Anfield, no one is denying that. Especially against this superb Liverpool team. But they were set up to be beaten, set up at best to hang on against Liverpool.

"With seemingly no belief that they could go and get a result - other than a lucky draw maybe. Liverpool went after them and Manchester United couldn't cope."

United will return to Premier League action with a trip to Cardiff City next weekend.