Man Utd legend Ferdinand picks out ‘two challengers’ as he makes Premier League title prediction
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has backed two clubs to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title this season.
The Red Devils improved under Erik ten Hag last season as they won the Carabao Cup and qualified for the Champions League.
Man Utd looked to be in the title race at certain stages during the 2022/23 campaign but they ended up 14 points adrift of eventual champions Man City.
Arsenal were top of the league for most of the season but they struggled during the run-in as they ended up five points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s side.
City ended up becoming treble winners last season as they also lifted the FA Cup and Champions League. They head into the 2023/24 season as Premier League title favourites once again and Ferdinand cannot see anyone “pipping them” this term.
Ferdinand does think Man Utd and Arsenal will be the two main “challengers” who will battle Man City.
“Manchester United and Arsenal, two challengers. If anyone’s going to get close to them [Man City], it’ll be those two,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
“I still think there’s a difference between Manchester United and Manchester City: on the pitch and off the pitch.
“But I think Manchester United are going in the right direction. I think you can see how they have approached the transfer window, it’s been very decisive and forthright.”
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“They have executed on three very good players who are going to improve the squad no doubt, potentially another one coming in after that, we’ll have to wait and see.
“And I think Arsenal have done the same. They have recruited superbly well in this window. Three very good players who are not only going to improve the squad but the starting XI.
“They’ll go close this season but as for City, I don’t think anyone is going to pip them to the title.”
“I don’t think Arsenal could have done any more to close the gap,” Neville said on The Overlap.
“They have shown real intent with the signings they have made. My concern is that they are the only team I look at and are the only team that I think could win the league. With the three signings they have made they are going to be better.
“Just because of the three thing and never winning a fourth, I am going to go Arsenal to win the league, City second. I think Arsenal can beat them.”
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