Manchester City fans are howling over a behind-scenes claim involving Man United after their 7-0 humbling to Liverpool.

The Lowdown: United jolted?

Before that dismal defeat at Anfield, the Red Devils were on an imperious run of form - even beating City at Old Trafford the last time the two sides met.

Also into the Europa League Last 16 and boasting a Carabao Cup, City supporters could've been forgiven for looking over their shoulders at Erik ten Hag's men.

The Premier League champions (second) are followed relatively closely by United in third as the final standings begin to take shape - yet ten Hag's humbling at the hands of Liverpool may now have jolted their real momentum.

The Latest: Blues howl over 'brutal' United claim...

According to reporter Chris Wheeler (via City Xtra), prior to their bitter loss on Merseyside, members of United's squad spoke in their WhatsApp group about the prospect of pipping Arsenal and Pep Guardiola to the title.

This claim now looks hilarious to some City supporters, who flocked to Twitter after their rivals' shocking result, saying:

"They keep embarrassing themselves" - @Xcott_17

"This gets funnier each day" - @mcfcdvd

"They need to know their place" - @sergilogy 

"They thought they had a seat at the table" - @FORMULICIA

"Who gassed these man go fight for 3rd place" - @IIM9320

"Who invited them" - @SxrgioSZN

"Brutal" - @callmearchers

The Verdict: Keep watch...

Tongue-in-cheek rivalry aside, although City are currently nine points ahead of their neighbours, United do still have a game in hand and may well reduce that gap to six points.

The Blues know all about fighting back from fierce points deficits - having been forced to do exactly that in numerous title-winning campaign - so a large portion of supporters will also know Guardiola's men cannot take their foot off the gas.