Former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre has ruled out most of the Premier League from the title race, insisting only three teams are capable of winning the league this season.
Silvestre, who won four Premier League titles with Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, believes Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool are the only realistic contenders. The former France international says it will be 'tough' for Arsenal to retain their trophy, despite their seven-point winning margin last season.
Arsenal's Title Defence
Mikel Arteta is preparing for Arsenal's title defence after the Gunners won the Premier League for the first time since 2004. They beat Manchester City by seven points in a tense race, but Silvestre warns that maintaining that level is difficult.
'It might seem like an easy job but you have to manage all the egos and keep everybody happy,' Silvestre told Grosvenor Sport. 'The players should understand that there is no rest. You must keep improving the team and the squad.'
'Mikel Arteta has already shown that he can compete with the very best. Right now he's the best manager in the Premier League based on last season. The challenge now is to remain in that position as number one and that's tough in the Premier League.'
City and Liverpool Challenge
Manchester City will expect to challenge again, though it remains to be seen whether Enzo Maresca can successfully replace legendary manager Pep Guardiola. Liverpool finished 25 points behind Arsenal last season and sacked Arne Slot in the summer.
'There will be so much competition from Manchester City and Liverpool this season although at the moment they are the only two teams that are ready to compete for the title, realistically,' Silvestre added.
United's Ambition
Silvestre's former Manchester United teammate Patrice Evra believes the Red Devils can continue to 'rebuild' and 'compete' for major honours. Manchester United recovered from a poor first half to finish third under Michael Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim.
'Manchester United should never believe they are too far away,' Evra told Stake. 'This club was not built to accept second place. But belief without action is just talking.'
'You don't become champions because you say the right sentence in an interview. You become champions because you work every day, build the right habits and perform when the pressure is highest.'
Evra added: 'If Arsenal can rebuild and compete again, of course United can. But now United have to prove it on the pitch. When you are Manchester United, you don't start the season dreaming about finishing fourth. Come on. That is not the standard Sir Alex Ferguson built into the club.'
'I like what Michael Carrick is doing. He knows Manchester United because he lived it. He knows the standards, the history and what that dressing room should feel like. Michael is calm, intelligent and respected. If the club stays behind him and the players buy into his ideas, United can compete with anyone.'
The 2026-27 Premier League campaign kicks off on August 21 with champions Arsenal hosting newly-promoted Coventry City.
