Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes Manuel Pellegrini’s impressive summer signings will be the key to Manchester City reclaiming the Premier League title.
The 60-year-old Chilean did his transfer business early and in recent weeks Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho and Spanish striker Ălvaro Negredo have had a major say in crucial wins over Arsenal and Liverpool.
Neville said: âI think Chelsea, City, United, have got the biggest squads in terms of numbers, thereâs no doubt about that. City, to me, at this stage of the season, has the strongest squad.
‘If you look at the four players that they added in the summer they are, to me, looking like the title favourites at the moment.â
Neville has also been impressed by United’s other bitter rivals Liverpool, and says the absence of European football has been a significant factor in their success so far this season.
He said: âLiverpool this season are an interesting one as they can play the same team week in week out as they havenât got European football, you have to put that down as a factor in their success.
‘Itâs not the single biggest factor, but it certainly allows them to tactically prepare for matches in a more considerate and calm manner, and most importantly it allows their players two big things now â recovery and rest.
âThere have been so many incidents where teams have got towards the end of the season and their legs have gone.
‘It happened to United in 1997-98 when we had injuries to Pallister, Giggs, Keane, the squad then became really stretched and Arsenal beat us to the title as they were fresher than us in that moment.
‘Weâve had those experiences on both sides of the fence, weâve lost leagues because of that lack of freshness and because of injuries, and weâve also won leagues where the manager has been brilliant at making sure the squad is fresh in the key moments of the season.â
Written by Steve Milne – Have your say below đ
