Updated at 18.00
OWEN HARGREAVES EXPECTS former club Manchester United to struggle in the Champions League next season, as there is a gulf in class to the competition’s elite sides.
Louis van Gaal guided United back to Europe’s elite club competition in 2014-15 as the club finished fourth, a year on from their seventh-placed finish and the ill-fated tenure of David Moyes.
United are expected to embark on a spending spree this summer, with Memphis Depay already acquired, as they seek to challenge both domestically and in Europe, but Hargreaves has dismissed any chances of the club winning the competition.
“I don’t think Manchester United are ready to compete for a Champions League title,” the former midfielder, who was a member of the Champions League winning 2008 squad, said.
“If you look at Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona — realistically I don’t think they are.
“I’m sure the fans would love to get back to those days when they were in the Champions League semi-finals virtually every year and not only winning the league, but winning it beautifully as well.”
He added: “As excited as you are that there is £200 million to spend potentially, I am still not 100 per cent sure how the team is going to look. Chelsea is by far the best team in the country.
“They can go and get players that they specifically need. I think Manchester United need quite a lot.”
No English team is ready to challenge for the champions league
The EPL is the most overrated league in the world
Leagues aren’t overrated they go through phases of dominance, La Liga is the strong at present but will probably change again in the next 2/3 years
Yes they go through phases alright.but since 1990 5 English clubs have won the CL and none of those were in concurrent years.doesnt say much for the English league
So what ! From 2004 -2012 there was a PL team in 7/8 finals
Since 1990 this year is the 1st time that any league has won it concurrently,
Spanish teams have dominated with 9 wins, Italian teams have 5 wins, English 4 wins, Germans 3 wins. So outside of the Spanish, who for 30 years during the 60′s-90′s only one 1 European Cup, no one has dominated. So it doesn’t say much for any of the leagues really.
Dontletitslip you’ve to much time in your hands.the EPL is overrated and can’t see how you can argue otherwise
leace it out Alan. That was actually a good comment and insightful. I’m in shock actually
Nobody’s having an arguement except you as usual!
Yes I’m in shock.i looked up wiki but just counted the English winners.this man has a lot of time on his hands
His account has been hacked
barcelona operate on a different football level to any other team in europe.
if Moyes can get us out of the group stages then LVG can have a good stab at it anyway
The bitterness Hargreaves has towards United since he was released is unreal.
What bitterness are u talking about? Such rubbish
Looks like Robb stark .
With Daley Blind (Jon Snow).
My kids could tell us that one! :D QF at most and unless some solid defensive signings are made then that will be a good return to the CL
What a bitter man!!!
bitter for stating the obvious goodman Jamie.
No shit sherlock.. his insight would really wake u up..worst pundit out there..and that says alot with all the scrap punditry