Ferdinand insists MU STILL a bigger club despite Reds drawing titles level

Rio Ferdinand has insisted Manchester United are still a bigger club than Liverpool 'by a landslide' despite their bitter rivals drawing level on 20 top-flight titles.

Arne Slot's side won the Premier League after thrashing Tottenham 5-1 on Sunday evening and equalled United's long-standing tally in the process.

Gary Neville admitted the success at Anfield ended the long-running debate over who is England's most successful club and declared the moment 'sobering'.

But Ferdinand revealed he disagrees - and outlined exactly why.

Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, he said: 'They're [Liverpool] the most successful club in the land, but they're not the biggest club.

'It's a fact. You go anywhere in the world, there are more Man United fans than there are Liverpool fans. But that will change if they remain successful and Man United don't. There will be a swing of new fans who adopt successful teams.

'If Liverpool become that over the next 10 years then they have a chance to balance that up, in terms of the biggest club in the world right now. But right now it's a landslide win for Man United in terms of being the biggest in the world.'

Peter Crouch, a guest on the show, then asked Ferdinand whether he was worried about the contrasting directions of both heavyweight clubs.

A frustrated Ferdinand replied: 'It fries my head. I've got to be honest, when I was at Man United, we were miles ahead, won leagues, etcetera.

'We clawed it back and then were ahead. I was part of that and it felt great. And now I'm just sitting and watching it before my eyes, just all sliding away. Liverpool have become more successful in the time since I retired. You've just got to accept it.'

While United boast an equal number of domestic league titles, Liverpool's superior record in Europe, with six European Cups to United's three, has decisively tipped the scales in favour of Anfield, according to a dejected Neville.

Neville, who made 602 appearances for United, now wants Liverpool pulling level with his former club to act as a wake-up call for those in charge at Old Trafford.

Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of the Reds' big win, Neville said: 'You have to respect the team that have won the title, they have been the best team.

'It is one of the great coaching performances we have seen, to come in and not get players, and still achieve this, you have to hand it to him.

'But it is a sobering day.'

On the wider significance of Liverpool reaching 20 titles, Neville added: 'It is a massive deal. When you think of the importance of a league title, the managers at Liverpool and United always talk about your bread and butter being the league.

'You could debate the most successful club when United were on 20.

'Obviously Liverpool have more European Cups, but the painful thing to say is the debate is over for a period until United become successful again and win leagues.

'It should cause real tremors at Old Trafford. Liverpool will be the most successful club after today, and that should cause heartache and pain.

'It took a lot to get ahead of Liverpool, and now that will be gone.'