Should Manchester United be considered Premier League title contenders?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees no reason why Manchester United can't win the Premier League this season… and a growing number are agreeing with him.

While his side are far from the finished article and have been inconsistent in the opening months of the season, they do still find themselves in a good position in the table.

After their 3-2 win at Sheffield United on Thursday night, former United midfielder Paul Scholes said they will be 'there or thereabouts' in the title reckoning come May.

Ex-United striker Michael Owen agreed with Scholes but said United would only have a chance if they get their best players on the pitch in the right set-up.

So can United win their first Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in 2012-13?

Sportsmail's ADAM SHERGOLD argues the reasons why they can and DANIEL MATTHEWS argues why they have no chance.

WHY THEY HAVE EVERY CHANCE

BY ADAM SHERGOLD

Manchester United have been infuriating at times this season. Sloppy, slow to get going, horrendously inconsistent. But does all this rule them out as title contenders? No, it doesn't.

Five points off leaders Liverpool but with a game in hand, they have as much a chance of winning the title as anyone else in what is a Premier League season of unprecedented unpredictability.

For one thing, they're already seven points better off after 12 games than last year and it's already apparent that no one team will run away with it, as Liverpool did last season.

Nobody has yet shown the consistency of form that makes them clear favourites. Everyone has had erratic results and the cumulative fatigue of this relentless and shortened campaign will have a greater impact on squads in the new year.

It adds an element of chaos and there's no reason why Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side can't capitalise to win United's first post-Ferguson league title.

The recent comebacks to win against Southampton, West Ham and Sheffield United away from home are the most encouraging thing. This is a trait of the finest United teams; that unwillingness to accept defeat, to never give in.

Of course, in an ideal world, they wouldn't concede the first goal and their home form would be more reliable. But both these things can only improve - and I believe they will - and when they do United will be very much in the conversation.

It helps that they are the best counter-attacking team in the league and boast one of the deadliest attacks. When Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes hit their stride in games, they're simply unplayable. Add Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani into that mix and the goals will flow.

It may remain the case that United concede one or two goals in many games. But as they're capable of scoring three or four, what's the problem?

Once Solskjaer settles on his most effective midfield, and on the evidence of Thursday night this includes Paul Pogba regardless of the off-field distractions, Fernandes will get the service he needs to sparkle.

The back line does remain vulnerable but has already shown considerable improvement from the dreadful first few games of the season.

And Solskjaer, for all the criticism levelled at him, has shown many times he has the tactical acumen to get the best from his team in the big games, as shown from the multiple wins over Man City and Chelsea last season.

Managing his squad will be essential, especially when the Europa League returns, but all United's title rivals will have to perform the same juggling act to keep key men free of injury.

In this extraordinary season, United have just as much chance of glory as anyone else.

WHY THEY HAVE NO CHANCE

BY DANIEL MATTHEWS

Let's clear one thing up, right off the bat. Pound-for-pound, Manchester United have the firepower to match anyone in the Premier League.

On any given day, the brilliance of Bruno Fernandes, the ingenuity of Paul Pogba, the destructive pace and finishing of their front line can overwhelm anyone in Europe. Just ask RB Leipzig.

There is just one snag: Premier League seasons are not won over 90 minutes. They're not much suited to the methods of Dr Jekyll, either.

With victory over Sheffield United on Thursday, United made it 10 consecutive away wins. Only four teams in top-flight history have managed that. No one since 1960 has done it in such style – scoring 2+ goals at every turn.

But then comes Mr Hyde. At Old Trafford this season, they have played six, lost three, and scored just three. Their only win? A stumbling 1-0 win over West Brom.

Three points in their game in hand and they will move into second - do not be fooled, though. This United side will not win the title. They boast lots of the necessary ingredients but lack too many others.

Their recent record speaks to two - first, a difficulty to break down teams who don't come at them. And secondly, an inability to match the best teams' thudding consistency.

Last season, Liverpool rarely overwhelmed opposition. Instead, they mastered the ability to win each and every 90 minutes.

With United, each step forward is invariably followed by at least one back. Their problems stem from back to front.

The table doesn't lie, of course, but it can be rather misleading. United have conceded 19 goals in their first 12 Premier League matches. The same number as Liverpool have shipped in 13.

But against Tottenham, Klopp's back line included a midfielder (Fabinho) and a kid who last year turned out for Kidderminster Harriers in the sixth tier. No disrespect to Rhys Williams, who has stepped up brilliantly in tough circumstances. And if Liverpool remain on top, it will be testament to their resilience and adaptability.

But for now? It's a damning indictment that United can't better Liverpool's defensive record. After all, everyone else outside the bottom eight has.

It's a trite truism that defences win titles. But we know how much Ole Gunnar Solskjaer loves those.

The issue is what United can do about it. Yes, better direction at board level will help. So would new signings. But they distract from the fundamental question: is Solskjaer the problem?

Time and again he has shown himself capable of devising deliberate one-off plans. What he has failed to do is mould a consistent, coherent team out of lots of very good players. Personnel isn't the problem here. Well, on the pitch at least.