‘Their time will surely come but not now,not anytime soon’: Rio Ferdinand names three teams who could win the Premier League this season
Rio Ferdinand expects Manchester City to win the Premier League for the fourth year in a row but says Manchester United and Arsenal will be their biggest rivals for the title.
Man City have been the dominant force in English football since Pep Guardiola’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium, winning five league titles in six years and ending their wait for the Champions League last season.
City have bolstered Guardiola’s squad this summer by signing Croatia internationals Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic, though treble-winners Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez have both left.
Ferdinand fears the Premier League trophy will be heading back to the Etihad Stadium come May but says Man United and Arsenal could challenge for the title.
Arsenal came close to winning their first league title since 2004 last season before a late wobble saw them finish five points behind the Premier League champions.
The Gunners could take another step forwards in 2023-24 following a summer in which they have spent over £200m on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
Manchester United have also secured three summer signings – Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund – and Ferdinand insists his former club are ‘going in the right direction’ under Erik ten Hag after finishing third last season and winning the League Cup.
‘Manchester United and Arsenal, two challengers. If anyone’s going to get close to them [Man City], it’ll be those two,’ Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
‘I still think there’s a difference between Manchester United and Manchester City: on the pitch and off the pitch.
‘But I think Manchester United are going in the right direction. I think you can see how they have approached the transfer window, it’s been very decisive and forthright.
‘They have executed on three very good players who are going to improve the squad no doubt, potentially another one coming in after that, we’ll have to wait and see.
‘And I think Arsenal have done the same. They have recruited superbly well in this window. Three very good players who are not only going to improve the squad but the starting XI.
‘They’ll go close this season but as for City, I don’t think anyone is going to pip them to the title.’
