Gary Neville backs Manchester United to mount Premier League title challenge soon

Gary Neville has suggested that Manchester United have a rare chance to challenge for the Premier League title in the coming seasons, pointing to the instability of their rivals as a key factor in his optimism.

Speaking on The Overlap podcast, the former United and England right-back acknowledged that manager Michael Carrick may need more time to fully bed in his methods at Old Trafford, but argued that circumstances across the division could work in United’s favour sooner than many expect.

“Arsenal isn’t brilliant. They’re better than United, but Liverpool are just shaking a little bit. Chelsea is all over the place. Tottenham are all over the place,” Neville said.

“If Manchester City were to be found guilty of some of the more serious charges, there is a genuine opportunity to win the league in the next year or two.”

The 115 financial charges still hanging over City remain one of the most significant outstanding issues in English football, and Neville is not the only high-profile figure to have noted the potential knock-on effect a significant verdict could have on the title picture.

Despite his bullishness about United’s title prospects, Neville stopped short of declaring Carrick the right man to deliver them.

The Sky Sports pundit floated the possibility of a bigger managerial appointment down the line, suggesting the current head coach could use the next campaign to establish strong foundations before the club reassess.

“If he beds the foundations in over another year — good principles, good culture, the club happier again, the staff trusting him — you could then go and make a bigger appointment,” Neville added.

Carrick was appointed on an interim basis in January and has overseen nine wins from his opening 13 Premier League matches in charge.

United currently sit third in the table and have secured a return to the Champions League — a development that would significantly strengthen the club’s hand in the summer transfer window.

Neville’s comments arrive at a delicate moment for the club, with questions over Carrick’s long-term status yet to be formally resolved by the board. Whether he is given the opportunity to build towards the title challenge Neville envisions remains to be seen.