Hardcore Manchester United stalwart and legendary defender Roy Keane has boldly predicted whether this season’s squad would be able to squarely challenge for the Premier League title this season against the likes of formidable serial winners Manchester City.
The Red Devils succeeded in making a successful foray back into the top four under gaffer Erik ten Hag last season and now the sense of expectation is spiraling upwards after the club conducted some expensive summer signings like the £72million-acquisition of Rasmus Hojlund, £47m Andre Onana and £60m Mason Mount with both the latter having made their Red Devils debuts on Monday as they barely scraped out a 1-0 win over Wolves at Old Trafford.
Controversy shrouded the game when goalkeeper Onana crashed into Wolves substitute Sasa Kalajdzic, sending the latter sprawling to the ground, resulting in referees’ boss John Moss apologizing to Wolves manager Gary O’Neil after the game after surprisingly no penalty was awarded.
Former United skipper Keane believes a title tilt in the face of bitter rivals Manchester City is currently way too ambitious a step for his former club this season.
He was also unhesitant in replying in the negative when asked if United could challenge City for top spot this year, telling Sky Sports: “No, I don’t think so.
“I just think it’s so hard to see beyond Man City. Again, I’ve said before, unless they really drop off and get really bad injuries and lose that hunger, then I think the other teams have a chance.
“United will be top four, Arsenal have improved, look at Newcastle. Aston Villa will respond well to it [losing 5-1 to Newcastle], obviously Liverpool and Chelsea, for a lot of them teams it’s about being top four and that’s the same for United.”