Robbie Fowler has warned Manchester United that sterner tests lie ahead after a relatively straightforward start to the season.
United are level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after an unbeaten start, but are yet to face a side in the top half of the table.
Meanwhile, title rivals City have faced champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and hosted Liverpool, winning both games.
But United travel to Anfield on Sunday before facing both Chelsea and Tottenham over the coming weeks, and Fowler believes the tricky sequence will test their title credentials.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “If you look at the fixtures – I’m not having a go at Manchester United here - but the run that they’ve had, they’ve played teams who, on paper, they should be beating.
“Without sounding disrespectful to them, now you’ll see over maybe the next month or so, with the run of fixtures they’ve got, what sort of team that really is.”
United proved they are capable of beating the Premier League's elite when Jose Mourinho masterminded a 2-0 victory over former club Chelsea - then champions elect - at Old Trafford in April.
And if Mourinho's side avoid defeat against Liverpool in Saturday's lunchtime game they will move ahead of Manchester City in the title race, at least until Pep Guardiola's men host Stoke at 3pm.
“They’ve done well. Football is a confidence thing, and that breeds confidence,” added Fowler.
