Eleven games still remain of the 2017/18 Premier League season yet it would appear the title has already been decided.

Manchester City notched their 23rd victory of the campaign against Leicester City on Saturday, while their closest challengers, Manchester United, lost 1-0 to Newcastle United yesterday.

It means the Citizens are now 16 points clear at the top and but for a miraculous recovery from those below them, a third Premier League title beckons.

United only have themselves to blame for falling so far behind, especially following the defeat at St James' Park.

Jose Mourinho's men had more than enough chances to score - Alexis Sanchez and Anthony Martial both missed sitters - yet they simply couldn't find a way past Martin Dubravka.

Defensively they were woeful, too. Chris Smalling almost conceded a penalty when he brought down Dwight Gayle in the box and then gave away the free-kick that led to Newcastle's goal.

Most embarrassingly for the England international was that the free-kick was given against him for diving. A centre-back punished for diving, whatever next.

Phil Jones also had a nightmare at the back, which prompted some rather scathing comments from United legend Phil Neville on Match of the Day 2.

Speaking on Sunday's highlights show, Neville dropped a couple of truth bombs about Jones and Smalling by labelling their partnership as "a disaster".

The newly-appointed England Women's boss also accused the defensive duo of creating "a nervousness and a tension".

"They have got the best defensive record because they have the best goalkeeper in the world in David De Gea and [Nemanja] Matic out in front who protects them really well," said Neville.

"But the last two away games [against Tottenham and Newcastle], Smalling and Jones have been a disaster. Against Dele Alli and Harry Kane, they got bullied.

"Against Newcastle, did they make many mistakes? No, but they created a nervousness and a tension. They were making decisions that were strange.

"They were making decisions all day where you were thinking: 'What are you doing?' They brought these two as the best young centre-backs in England."

Ouch. Neville clearly isn't a fan of the Jones-Smalling partnership but like he rightly says, these are two players once regarded as the future of England.

United may have some of the best attacking talent in the Premier League, but there can be no denying their defence needs improving. How they could do with Eric Bailly right now.