Premier League: Manchester United title bid unlikely, says Gary Neville

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville says it's not realistic to expect the Red Devils to win the Premier League in Louis van Gaal's first season in charge at Old Trafford. The new boss has stated his intention to claim the title right away after a terrible previous season under David Moyes, a season that saw Manchester United finish seventh in the Premier League. Gary Neville believes the Dutch boss needs to sign world-class players in defence and midfield if they are to mount a real challenge to Manchester City and Chelsea. “Unless two or three players come in I don't think it's realistic that he can win the league this year,” Neville said. “In Chicharito, Rooney, Van Persie and Welbeck, they have still got, I think, probably the best strikers in the league as a pool. If they can get the back right and find a solution in midfield – Carrick's out for two or three months so they need to sign another top midfield player – and stay injury-free then they do have a chance. But I do think it would be a massive ask for Manchester United to win the league this year from where they have been, unless they sign two or three real stars and they all bed in immediately in the next few weeks." Neville is tipping Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal to finish inside the top four and believes Chelsea are the big favourites for the trophy. Despite a superb previous season, Gary Neville doubts Liverpool's ability to be among the title contenders again. “Success this year for Liverpool, for me, would look like a Champions League finish, getting to the knockout phase of the Champions League and doing well in a domestic cup. Forget United and Arsenal because we don't quite know what they are going to do yet, but I think the two at the top – City and Chelsea – they'll find it difficult to get past those two.” Manchester United are 9/2 at Bet365 to win the Premier League title this season.