FULHAM coach Roy Hodgson insists Manchester United are favourites to retain the Premier League title despite their back-to-back defeats.

Following last weekend’s 4-1 loss to bitter rivals Liverpool, United were sunk 2-0 at Craven Cottage.

And Rafael Benitez’s side are now breathing down United’s necks following their 5-0 thrashing of Aston Villa, which cut the gap at the top to one point – although the leaders have a game in hand.

However, Hodgson declared: “United are such a good team with so many good players, I still think they are favourites for the championship this year – but the last two defeats have given the teams chasing them that little bit more hope.”

Fulham were rampant in the first half, taking the lead through Danny Murphy’s penalty after Paul Scholes had been sent off for deliberate handball.

Despite second-half United pressure Zoltan Gera added a second. Wayne Rooney was also red-carded.