Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann is backing Ruben Amorim to turn Manchester United back into Premier League title contenders - but has warned it will take "two or three years".

United slipped to a fourth successive defeat in all competitions on Monday evening, losing 2-0 to Newcastle United at Old Trafford. It marked a third successive league defeat without scoring.

As a result, United currently find themselves occupying 14th in the table, seven points above the relegation zone. The gap could be reduced to as few as four points by the time United face Liverpool at Anfield at 4.30pm on Sunday afternoon.

READ MORE: Liverpool could be missing four players vs Man United after injury hint

READ MORE: I understand brutal Man Utd Joshua Zirkzee reaction but Angel Di Maria proves why it wasn't right

Amorim, who was poached from Sporting Lisbon in November, has accepted United are now in a fight to beat the drop, highlighting his desperate need for results. However, United have produced glimpses during his first 11 games in charge of the type of football he wants them to play under his stewardship.

And in the opinion of Hamann, Amorim has the capacity to turn United's fortunes around, describing him as a "special manager".

Hamann speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League odds, said: "Can Ruben Amorim have a similar impact to Slot and Maresca? I certainly think he can get a tune out of them.

"Right now, they certainly do not have a good enough squad but he made a huge call to drop [Marcus] Rashford and [Alejandro] Garnacho and it paid off. He's a special manager and the way he played in the Champions League and League was a really good style of play.

"I think he will bring United back to the glory days and for the first time, I think they have a manager who will turn their fortunes around. They need a few additions but they are two or three years away from winning the league."