TOTTENHAM manager Antonio Conte has ruled his team out of a Premier League title race after losing to Manchester United.
Spurs suffered a 2-0 defeat to United at Old Trafford on Wednesday with Fred and Bruno Fernandes scoring.
Conte admits that the North Londoners have been “struggling” in high-level Premier League matches and their track record this season proves that.
Tottenham have yet to beat a top-four side as they drew 2-2 with Chelsea in August and also lost 3-1 to rivals Arsenal earlier this month.
And this is why the Italian tactician doesn’t expect his team to challenge for the Premier League title.
The ex-Chelsea boss insists Spurs still “need time” despite the major improvement he inspired ever since his arrival in November.
Conte said: “Every time we play a game at high level, we struggle.
“We struggle against Chelsea, Chelsea dominated the game – I want to be honest.
“With Arsenal we lost and today [Wednesday] against United we lost. For sure, when the level is high we are going to struggle.
“Sometimes I hear that we [Tottenham] are title contenders and I think we need time.
“In only 10 [or] 11 months you can’t pass from ninth place to become a title contender the year after.”
Tottenham are now set for a tough Premier League encounter against Newcastle on Sunday at home.
