Andy Cole thinks Manchester United are still 'a few years away' from challenging for the Premier League title. Erik ten Hag has enjoyed an impressive first season at Old Trafford, as he won the Carabao Cup in February, which put an end to the longest trophy drought at the club for over 40 years, and the team look set to secure a top-four finish.
With the business end of the campaign approaching, the FA Cup and Europa League also appear to be realistic avenues for more silverware and United have already surpassed last year's league points total with eight games remaining.
Ten Hag has made a strong impression and Cole believes this season has been 'really successful', but he also discussed what could happen in his second year in charge and he predicted the Reds will struggle to challenge for the title.
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Cole suggested other teams will improve next season and that a lack of goals away from Marcus Rashford could be a problem.
"Not many teams go from where they were to winning the league so even the most biased Manchester United fans would say this is a really successful season," Cole told Optus Sport on punditry duty after the Nottingham Forest win.
"To finish in the top four and having the Carabao Cup in their pocket is a fantastic season. You talk about next season, if they pocket another trophy then expectation levels are going to go through the roof about winning the Premier League
"But I’m going to be brutally honest, I think Manchester United are a few years away from winning the Premier League, I genuinely do. You talk about Manchester City not playing well this season and you look where they are.
"When they do play well, where are they going to be? If you look at the gap between Manchester United and Manchester City and Arsenal, Liverpool are only going to get better, Chelsea can’t play any worse.
"Are Manchester United really going to compete next season for the Premier League? They need to strengthen positions. Centre forward. If you look at Manchester City and Erling Haaland, he’s got nearly 50 goals!
"If you take out Marcus [Rashford], there’s no goals in the team. Antony has got four and I don’t think many have got more. Yes they spread the goals around but look at the team we had – me, Teddy [Sheringham] and Yorkie all had 15-20 goals each. It all adds up at the end of the season.”
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