Gary Neville is confident Manchester United can challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title next season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are a staggering 37 points behind their bitterest rivals in the league table with nine games still remaining this term.
United are on course for their worst league points tally in 30 years if the season reaches its natural conclusion amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But there are also reasons for cautious optimism at Old Trafford and Solskjaer appears to be taking United in the right direction.
Momentum was high at United before the pause button was hit on football; the Reds were unbeaten in 11 games in which they only conceded two goals.
The resurgence in form can largely be credited with new singing Bruno Fernandes, who has made United an entirely different attacking proposition since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in January.
And despite the huge points difference this season, Neville is confident United are closer to a title challenge than it may look.
The United great thinks this summer’s transfer window is a huge opportunity in the transfer window that United must capitalise on.
“United have found it hard to keep prices and wages down but they will be in a really strong position to hold their nerve this summer,” he told Sky Sports, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“It will be really important, they had found some form before this and the glass looked half full than half empty and being 30 points or whatever it is off Liverpool. I am starting to feel confident United could challenge next season.”
“They need to add three of four quality players to that and United will be able to capitalise on the market this summer, to do some business.”
While United are not immune to the uncertainty surrounding the virus, they are a club in a strong financial position and should still be able to acquire some of their targets this summer.
Solskjaer must prioritise signing a right-winger and another specialist midfielder as he continues to accelerate his rebuild.
But it may be overly optimistic to hope for a title challenge as soon as next season with plenty of development needed in a young, inexperienced squad compared to Jurgen Klopp’s accomplished Liverpool assemble.
