Manchester United Transfer News: Current Squad One of the Best of Ferguson Era, According to Gary Neville

May 28, 2013 03:14 AM EDT
Manchester United Premier League Trophy
Manchester United players with the English Premier League trophy after their 2-1 win over Swansea, May 12"

 

Gary Neville believes Sir Alex Ferguson has left David Moyes one of the greatest teams during his near 27-year spell with Manchester United, which came to an end this season.

United romped to the Premier League title, leaving the rest of their title rivals in their wake with Ferguson announcing his retirement saying he was leaving the new manager with a strong and, more importantly, young squad.

According to Neville, who spent his entire playing career with United, the team of 2012-13 is as good as the ones of 1994, 1999 - the squad that won the historic treble - and 2008.

"When you're at Manchester United and you've had a manager who has built four great teams -- '94, '99, 2008 and you can now argue this one that has won the league -- people are always going to compare teams," he told the club's official website.

"The most important thing to say about this team is it's on an upward curve.

"You've got players like (David) De Gea, Rafael, (Jonny) Evans, (Chris) Smalling, (Phil) Jones, (Tom) Cleverley, (Danny) Welbeck and (Javier) Hernandez, to name eight players, who are still young and haven't reached anywhere near their peak.

"You've also got a mix of players in the middle who are at their peak, then you've got the experienced lads at the other end.

"This team has still not reached its potential. I'm sure there will be additions to the squad this summer so you're talking about a team on the up."

With Ferguson retiring after winning an unprecedented 13 Premier League titles, many believe it opens up the Premier League considerably with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal now even more likely to quell the United monopoly in the Premier League.

However, Neville has no doubts that United under Moyes will be as competitive, even if he predicts an exciting opening to the Premier League next season.

"They should see it as a new challenge and an important challenge," Neville added. "Since Sir Alex announced his retirement other clubs have already been lifted by the fact he is no longer around.

"The players should see that as a slight on them and say 'Hang on, do you think we can't go out on that pitch and perform without our manager?'

"That is a challenge in itself and ultimately the players and David Moyes will need to respond to that. It won't be a bed of roses -- there will be ups and downs as there always is and there has been over the last 26 or so years.

"There will be pressure moments in the coming season when people will say 'it's not the same' but it's too easy to say that. Everybody is waiting to see how this post-Sir Alex Ferguson era is going to work.

"The club have had it before with Sir Matt (Busby) but everyone here will stick together.

"I think we will have one of the most interesting preseasons we've ever had and probably the most interesting start to a season that we'll have ever had: there will be new managers at three of the top clubs (United, City, Chelsea) as a minimum.

"A number of clubs will be wanting to start strongly: Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal -- and Spurs will want to do everything they can to hold on to (Gareth) Bale and push forward themselves.

"I think United are in a good place. Do they get the credit they deserve? You only get that by repeating success -- it's about winning, winning and winning again."

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