Man Utd named as one of five Champions League favourites by Paul Merson

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Manchester United have won three Champions League titles but not since 2008 (Pictures: Getty)

Paul Merson has named Manchester United as one of his five favourites to win the Champions League this season.

The Red Devils have lifted Europe’s biggest cup competition three times but not since 2008, reaching two finals and three quarter-finals in the past 12 seasons.

Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United reached the Europa League final last term – they were beaten on penalties by Villarreal – and finished second in the Premier League.

Former Arsenal and England star Merson believes United’s wait for a domestic title will go on for at least one more year but says the Manchester club could lift the Champions League this season.

He has named Manchester United as one of his five contenders to win the competition, along with German champions Bayern Munich, French giants Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea.

‘I’ve gone for Manchester United as one of the top five contenders for the Champions League this season and I’ll explain why,’ Merson wrote in a column for Sportskeeda.

‘I know they were knocked out in the group stages last season, but the way they play suits Champions League football more than the Premier League.



Paul Merson’s top five Champions League contenders

Manchester City

Paris Saint-Germain

Manchester United

Bayern Munich

Chelsea

‘They counterattack as well as anyone in Europe and have a squad that has match-winners across the pitch with the additions of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.

‘Sancho adds a bit more guile to the team, while Varane is an experienced defender who will not only allow them to play a higher line but also complement Harry Maguire perfectly.

‘Manchester United are the biggest club in world football in my opinion, so I’m not going to call them dark-horses.

‘They’ve gone almost eight years without winning the Premier League or the Champions League and that could so easily become 15 or 20 if they don’t take the initiative.

Premier League club Chelsea are the current Champions League holders

Premier League club Chelsea are the current Champions League holders (Picture: Getty)

‘They look like a strong team and it goes without saying that each one of their forwards, barring Edinson Cavani, are incredibly quick!

‘I don’t know if Manchester United will win the Premier League title, but when you look at the way they play, they could be a force to be reckoned with in the UEFA Champions League.’

The draw for the 2021-22 Champions League group stage will be held on August 26 in Istanbul.

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