Rio Ferdinand says that improvement on last season must be ‘par for the course’ for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United this season, which should see them compete for the Premier League title and get their hands on some silverware.
There are great expectations at Old Trafford for this campaign thanks to a spectacular summer in the transfer market.
Solskjaer has added Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo to his squad, three seemingly excellent signings which should allow the Red Devils to compete with the best in England and across Europe.
Manchester United finished second in the Premier League last season and, after falling out of the Champions League, reached the Europa League final where they lost on penalties to Villarreal. In the domestic cups they made it to the FA Cup quarter-finals and EFL Cup semi-finals.
Ferdinand believes Solskjaer has made improvements each season he has been in charge so far and he must do so again this campaign given the signings the club has made.
‘This is Ole’s squad now – there had been a hangover from previous managers, but he’s probably had the best window Man United have had in many years,’ Ferdinand told the Mirror.
‘He’s brought in two proven winners – two certified world-class players, including one of the greatest players of all time – and another lad who we think is going to be right up there [Sancho].
‘Par for the course would be improvement on last season, where they finished runners-up in the Premier League and reached a final in Europe.
‘Year on year, Ole has delivered improvement – and if he does it again this season, that should put United in touching distance of at least one major trophy.’
The Red Devils have enjoyed a good start to the season, wining twice and drawing once in their first three Premier League matches, although the draw at Southampton and narrow 1-0 win over Wolves did not instil great confidence that they will be challenging for the title.
There will be plenty of confidence among Manchester United fans this weekend, though, when they host Newcastle United on Saturday and Cristiano Ronaldo will make his second debut for the club.
MORE : Cristiano Ronaldo dismisses doubts over his age: ‘I’m different from the rest of the people.’
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