Can Manchester United overtake Arsenal in the Premier League this season?
Gary Neville believes Arsenal’s second place finish is ‘up for grabs’ this season and predicts Manchester United could leapfrog them in the Premier League table.
The Gunners mounted a serious challenge under Mikel Arteta last season but fell away in the final weeks with Manchester City going onto clinch their third successive title.
United secured a third place finish having also won the Carabao Cup in Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge, with Newcastle United securing the final Champions League place.
United have since added two players to their squad in Mason Mount and Andre Onana with a deal agreed to sign Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Neville not convinced anyone can take the crown from City
‘Sitting here today, it’s difficult to say yes,’ Neville told FourFourTwo when asked if anyone can overtake City.
‘It’s all dependent on the budget,’ Neville continued on United’s prospects.
‘Under the owners the club has had, I think they’ll probably still finish in the top four, but I don’t think they’ll improve on it.
‘If they got new owners and had £250m or £300m to spend, they’ve got a chance of going up to second. I do think they’ve got a chance of taking that spot off Arsenal – that’s up for grabs – but they’d have to spend well.’
Carragher backs Liverpool to reclaim top four spot
Jamie Carragher meanwhile has backed Liverpool to reclaim a top four spot after missing out and settling for fifth last season.
‘I think Liverpool will be in the top four,’ he said. They signed Alexis Mac Allister early on. They were awful last season and were still in with a shout of the top four with two or three games to go, which I couldn’t believe, considering how poor they’d been in the middle of the season.
‘It’s whether they can get back to the level they’ve been at: it’s really difficult to have the season they’ve just had, then add 25 or 30 points to get to where they were before. I’m not sure they can make that jump.
But I certainly think they can be at the top of the pack chasing Manchester City. I actually think that Manchester United will improve, but I also think Jurgen Klopp will be so energetic and determined to put things right after how poor it was last season.
I get the feeling that he would have loved this season to have started as early as June.’
Conclusion
It remains to be seen whether Manchester United can overtake Arsenal in the Premier League this season. Gary Neville believes it is possible, but only if United are able to invest heavily in their squad. Jamie Carragher meanwhile has backed Liverpool to reclaim a top four spot after missing out and settling for fifth last season.