Joey Barton has made an outrageous claim that Manchester United will beat Manchester City to the title because they will deal with the cold weather better than their rivals.

After the first five matches of the Premier League season, both Manchester clubs are neck-and-neck at the summit with only goal difference nudging City top.

As City have several South Americans in their ranks, Barton surmises that they may not be able to deal with the winter weather in the UK.

“I do (fancy United),” Barton said on talkSPORT.

“I do mainly because the manager is a serial winner, he knows how to win.

“Also I think when the cold weather comes and the fixture congestion comes, I think Manchester United have got the physicality to deal with it.

“If you remember last year City started like a house on fire and then the cold snap comes in.

“Them South Americans, I’m not too sure they like it when it gets cold here.”

It is also worth noting that City lost only once in 14 in all competitions from January 1 this year.