Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes his former club have enjoyed a better season than Arsenal - despite finishing behind the Gunners in the league table.
For much of the campaign, Mikel Arteta's men had the destiny of the title in their own hands, but have capitulated in their last eight games. The 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest last Saturday confirmed City as champions despite Pep Guardiola's men still having three matches to play. And debate has since raged as to whether Arsenal's season has represented significant progress, a missed opportunity or both.
In contrast, under Erik ten Hag, the Red Devils have ended a run of five seasons without a trophy, beating Newcastle in the League Cup final in February. And they could yet make it a cup double when they return to London on June 3 to face arch rivals City in the FA Cup final.
And Ferdinand believes that winning silverware has made United's season superior to that of Arteta and co. However, he did reserve praise for the manner in which the Premier League runners up pushed City.
"Have Man United had a better season than Arsenal?" he asked on the FIVE podcast. "If you were just laying it down and saying if you’re a player, do you want to finish fourth and win a trophy, whatever trophy that is, or third and win a trophy and qualify for the Champions League, or second, no trophy but be involved in the title race?
"I’m only taking the trophy and whatever position I finish, to finish in the Champions League, that’s it. That’s a more successful season.
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"You can look at it that Arsenal and Arteta have made huge strides, so you have to tip your hat to them and say 'well done'.
"They’ve done remarkably well to close the gap on Man City the way they did. But that’s a different conversation."
Ferdinand can lay claim to being qualified to talk about the value of winning silverware. The former captain lifted the Premier League trophy six times during his Old Trafford career, as well as the Champions League and a host of other honours.
Unlike Arsenal, United can lose a place in the final standings though, should they fail to beat Fulham. That would open the door for Newcastle, who would then take third if they beat Chelsea.
