Micah Richards says Manchester United will put up a closer chase with Manchester City for the Premier League title next season, also predicting that Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea will be in the mix.
The Blues will be gunning for an unprecedented four titles in a row next year, although have the matter of the Treble to compete for this term first. City won the league by five points this season, with United 14 points behind.
The gap last season was 35 points as City pipped Liverpool to the title by a point. Sky Sports pundits Richards and Jamie Carragher expect Liverpool to come back stronger next campaign after a disappointing fifth-place finish this time around.
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When asked who will challenge City for the title in the 2023/24 season, Carragher said: “I think Manchester United and Liverpool. Liverpool have got a manager who has been there and done it before.
“There has to be a massive improvement but I think there will be. There’s still players there that have won Champions League and Premier League titles. So I’ll say Liverpool and Man United."
Richards concurred before adding his more suggestions, saying: "I think Arsenal as well, I don’t think Arsenal are done. I’m going to bring Arsenal into it as well.
“I think they will be in the top-four and maybe challenging for even more with the players they’ve got. They need a striker but if they get that sorted I think Chelsea will be challenging big next season. These players are only going to get better.”
United are keen to bring in a forward this summer, as well as a midfielder. Harry Kane is Erik ten Hag’s top target, although Tottenham are playing hardball so the club are looking at other options for now.
The likes of Mason Mount, Alexis Mac Allister and Declan Rice have also been linked with an Old Trafford switch with the Reds hoping to challenge for the title next season.
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