Manchester United legend Roy Keane does not expect Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to be challenging Liverpool and Manchester City for the title next campaign.

The Irishman says he is seeing signs of progress, but he thinks the Red Devils will need to strengthen their squad further if they are to become serious contenders:

“They’re a few players off yet. They have obviously strengthened but the league table doesn’t lie. Look at their points total.”

“I know people say they’ve had one or two decent results – against Man City and Liverpool – but it’s all about the points. So, no, I don’t see United competing in the next year or two for the league.”

“I think there’s going to be improvement and they will close the gap, but there is a bit of work to be done for Ole and the players. They’re missing something. They haven’t been consistent enough.”

Keane is right to point out the gap between United and Liverpool at the top of the table. 37 points is a huge margin which may not be bridged over the course of one season.

However, if the Merseyside club do drop their standards slightly next campaign and Solskjaer’s men begin to show a greater level of consistency, there is no doubt that the gap can be closed considerably.

In one-off games this year United have already shown they can match the best teams in the division, but, as Keane says, that is different from competing with them over 38 games.