Former England star Joe Cole has tipped Manchester United to finish outside the top four again after what he describes as a “reset” under new manager Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag has overseen some impressive performances during pre-season, including a 4-0 victory in a friendly against Liverpool which showed what the Dutchman can bring to Old Trafford. Still, after watching the Red Devils finish 13 points outside the top four last term - not to mention 34 behind his old employers Liverpool - Cole can’t see them making up enough ground.
The 40-year-old was at Anfield in 2012, when Brendan Rodgers took over as manager after a difficult few years for the club, and has likened United’s current situation to that facing the Reds more than a decade ago. Liverpool were able to build, eventually challenging for titles and top-four finishes once more, but Cole thinks such a thing is beyond Man Utd this season.
“I feel they've just reset haven't they,” said Cole, speaking exclusively to Mirror Football via BT Sport Pods. “I can't see Man Utd closing the gap. If they do the same as they did last year with a new manager, I think it's levelling out now and then they'll have to rebuild like Liverpool did. I might be wrong but I think Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham will go further away from Man Utd in terms of what they do.
The comparisons to Rodgers’ Liverpool come after a sixth-place finish under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last season, with a big gap to Spurs in fourth. Rodgers was dealing with an even bigger gap - Liverpool had finished 17 points off the top four under Kenny Dalglish - but Cole sees similarities in terms of the need to start afresh.
“From Man Utd's perspective they have to hope Ten Hag's as good a manager as Jurgen Klopp or even as Brendan Rodgers,” Cole added. “It's a huge job he's got on his hands at Man Utd”
Where will Man Utd finish this season? Have your say in the comments section
Cole was speaking ahead of the launch of his new podcast, The Joe Cole cast, in which he will speak to current and former footballers including some of his past teammates. “It's a very small world, football,” he said.
“You naturally relax and the stories flow, you remember things. There'll be other players I haven't come across so I'll be learning more. We'll get the younger generation in and talk about their perspective on how things are, and how did they see me as a player.”
As for this season’s top four, he can’t see Man Utd making up the necessary ground after seeing those around them also strengthen. Ten Hag’s team have signed Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez, but others have spent even bigger.
United will get their season underway against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 6. The Seagulls beat them 4-0 towards the end of last season, though second-half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes gave the Manchester club victory in the reverse fixture.
Much of the pre-match discussion has surrounded Ronaldo, with the forward having told United he wants to leave. The veteran played 45 minutes of the club's pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, with his replacement Amad scoring in a 1-1 draw.
“The three teams behind [Man City and Liverpool] have done great business so I think the gap will be shortened,” Cole said. “I think it'll be four out of five rather than four out of six.”
The Joe Cole Cast, part of a soon-to-launch new series of free podcasts and audio documentaries - BT Sport Pods - debuts from 27 August. Visit btsport.com/pods
