Man Utd may have a difficult season ―Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand fears that Manchester United will not challenge for the Premier League title this season.

The United legend believes the Reds will finish below Manchester City and Liverpool and cites the negativity surrounding Jose Mourinho’s side as the cause of his doubts.

“I’m a United fan, and I want to see them win the title, but I fear it’s going to be very difficult for that to happen this season,” Ferdinand told the Mirror .

“In the meantime, Manchester City look stronger than ever and Liverpool have improved again.

“I can’t see past City and Liverpool as the top two — and to say that about the two clubs who wouldn’t be top of any United fan’s Christmas card list is horrendous.”

Mourinho has cut a frustrated figure during pre-season and has not yet been handed his desired central defensive reinforcements at Old Trafford.

But Ferdinand says it will take more than the signing of a centre-half to bring about an upturn in fortunes for United.

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“There seems to be a lot of negativity around United at the moment, and that doesn’t bode well,” he added.

“The manager is obviously not happy about the signings he hasn’t been able to make and not having certain players available on their pre-season tour, which isn’t nice to hear if you are a young kid trying to make your mark on the fringes of the squad.”

“Harry Maguire did great at the World Cup, but of the players potentially available he would not be my first choice.

“I would go for Alderweireld, all day long, because he is suited to the way United play.

“But it will take more than a quality defender to galvanise them, and this is where you have to respect Mourinho’s track record and his history of winning trophies.”