DIEGO FORLAN IS confident Manchester United can be ‘real contenders’ for the Premier League title under Jose Mourinho this season.
United have failed to finish higher than fourth in the table since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement three years ago and will also have no Champions League football to look forward to for the second time in the same period.
Louis van Gaal paid the price for his failure to guide United into the top four last season as he was replaced at the helm by former Chelsea boss Mourinho.
Forlan, who spent two-and-a-half years as a striker for United and is fondly remembered by fans for his winning brace against Liverpool, believes the club have appointed ‘the right man’ in Mourinho.
With Mourinho having added Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to his squad, and with Paul Pogba close to completing a move, Forlan expects United to be title challengers.
“As soon as Jose Mourinho was given the job, I knew that he was the right man for Manchester United,” Forlan told Goal.
“They have had a few seasons which their fans will not have been used to and it was going to take a coach of Mourinho’s experience and influence to guide the club back to where they are expected to be.
“Manchester United looked a long way off winning the title last season and, even with Mourinho in charge, I thought this would have to be a year of transition for them, but now I am not so sure.
“They have signed very well, and if they manage to also sign Pogba, I think they can be real contenders.”
Forlan, whose final appearance for United in August 2004 came in Mourinho’s first Premier League match as Chelsea manager, feels the lack of Champions League football will also boost his old club’s title chances.
He added: “They have no Champions League football next season, and I am sure Mourinho will use the Europa League as a chance to develop the youngsters at the club.
“Like Leicester last season they can give their big players a week’s rest between games, and that could make all the difference for them.”
