According to former centre-back Rio Ferdinand, Man Utd and Arsenal can compete and are the biggest threats, but cannot overthrow Man City in the Premier League 2023-2024 season.
"Man Utd and Arsenal are two competitors to Man City," Ferdinand told TNT Sports on August 10. "If any club can get close to Man City, it can only be Man Utd and Arsenal. But I still think there is a difference between Man Utd, Arsenal and Man City, both on and off the pitch."
Last season, Man City beat Arsenal in the final stages to win the Premier League for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Then, Pep Guardiola's team beat Man Utd 2-1 in the FA Cup final and Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final to win a historic treble.
Man City striker Haaland celebrates winning the 2022-2023 Premier League title at the Etihad Stadium on May 21. Photo: Guardian
This summer, Man City have strengthened two positions with the Croatian duo - midfielder Mateo Kovacic and centre-back Josko Gvardiol. Arsenal is the club that spends the most since the beginning of the transfer period, spending more than 250 million USD to recruit Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and reaching an agreement to buy goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford. Man Utd has signed Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and is targeting another defensive midfielder.
According to Ferdinand, both Man Utd and Arsenal have approached the transfer window decisively and straightforwardly, signing three quality players who can immediately break into the starting lineup. But the former England centre-back still predicts Man City will win the Premier League for the fourth time in a row. "Man Utd and Arsenal will close the gap on Man City, but I don't think any club can stop Guardiola's army from winning the title," Ferdinand said.
Gary Neville has also been impressed with Arsenal's transfer business, but unlike Ferdinand, the former Manchester United defender believes Mikel Arteta's side can win the Premier League next season. "I don't think Arsenal can do much better this summer to close the gap on Man City," the former England defender told The Overlap . "Arsenal have shown ambition and will be stronger with three new signings. I think Arsenal can overtake Man City and win the title."
Neville's former teammate Louis Saha believes Man Utd's chances of winning the title will be higher if they sign Harry Kane, the striker who has just agreed to join Bayern. "Man Utd can compete for every title when they are playing more consistently," Saha said. "Man Utd's goal this season is to win the Premier League. This is very difficult, and Man Utd need to start the new season with confidence and a little bit of arrogance about themselves, believing that they can win the championship."
Meanwhile, Dimitar Berbatov ignored Arsenal, and suggested that Chelsea - who are starting a new era under Mauricio Pochettino and are not playing in Europe - could focus on winning the Premier League. "I will not say Man City anymore, because I clearly want Man Utd to win the title," the former Bulgaria striker told Betfair . "I think the Premier League champions will be Man Utd or Chelsea. I like the story of an underrated club like Chelsea creating a surprise. I also like Pochettino and want him to succeed in England and win a title."
The new Premier League season will kick off this weekend, starting with Man City visiting Burnley at 2am tomorrow, August 12, Hanoi time.
Hong Duy
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