Manchester City are title contenders: Gary Neville
Manchester United right back Gary Neville has acknowledged the threat of Manchester City and claims them to be real title contenders this season.
For a player who has Manchester United flowing in his blood, such a statement should be taken seriously. Gary Neville is one the most emotional players when it comes to club loyalty and has never considered Manchester City as a
serious threat for the Premier League crown. However, the player has admitted that the big spending club has now become a big contender for the title. City skipped past United in the Premier League for the first time in nearly two decades, when United failed
to defeat Sunderland on the away leg.
United currently sit one point behind Manchester City and 5 points behind table tops Chelsea, which signifies that City are the closest contenders for the Premier League crown. If they remain in the second spot, more money can
be expected to flow in from the pocket of Sheikh Mansour, who may want to further bolster the squad come the January transfer window. It is a relatively new feeling for the Red Devils, who have always been the big dogs in Manchester. City, however, hasn’t
won a single trophy since 1976.
However, Gary Neville believes that United will now have to take their neighbours seriously and will have to be on their toes while playing against them at any level.
"Last weekend's results mean we are now behind Manchester City in the league, which hasn't happened too often in the past 20 years. There is no doubt that we have to see City as major challengers this season along with Chelsea.
At the moment, City and Chelsea are above us and the money that City have spent, and the quality and depth in both squads, means we have to see them both as rivals for the title.", claimed the veteran right-back
Gary Neville is one of the most distinguished players in the Premier League and has spent his entire career with Manchester United. The player has made 599 appearances for his club and has spent 19 seasons with Manchester United.
Neville hold the record of most appearances for the English National side in the European competitions, having made 11 appearances in three tournaments. In his career, Neville has won the 8 Premier League titles, 3 FA Cups, 2 league Cups and 2 Champions leagues.
The player was also awarded the best right back of the decade by the Premier League.
Manchester City have changed the overall outlook of their team in a matter of two years. The side has bought 13 top quality players and is the only side to have defeated Chelsea three times in a row. City was the only team to defeat
the Blues twice last season but still failed to qualify for the Champions league spot. They lost an all important fixture to Tottenham Hotspur last season, which led to Spurs taking the number 4th spot. Yet, it was a favourable result for a side
which was battling relegation only a few seasons ago.
Manchester United will have to floor the accelerator if they want to stay in the hunt for the Premier League crown. The side has had a bad away form this season, having managed to only draw all four of their away fixtures in the
Premier League. United face West Bromwich next, which appears to be in top form following their surprise win at the Emirates. West Brom managed to defeat Arsenal 3-2 and will be looking for yet another upset. However, United remains the only team undefeated
this season and will want to secure all three points against the newly promoted side.
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