Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United stalwart Gary Neville insists David Moyes is taking over a side yet to reach their potential at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s outfit clinched the Premier League title in style last campaign, but Neville believes the likes of Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and David De Gea are yet to hit their peak.
And the ex-England right back is confident the current Red Devils side compares with title and Champions League winning teams of the past.
“This team has still not reached its potential,” Neville told the club website. “I’m sure there will be additions to the squad this summer so you’re talking about a team on the up.
“When you’re at Manchester United and you’ve had a manager who has built four great teams – ’94, ’99, 2008 and you can now argue this one that has won the league.
“People are always going to compare teams and look back, I do it myself sometimes. The most important thing to say about this team is it’s on an upward curve.”
But Neville, whose brother Phil is rumoured to be following Moyes to Old Trafford, believes the gauntlet has already been laid for the former Everton boss.
“I know from speaking to other people in football that since Sir Alex announced his retirement other clubs have already been lifted by the fact he is no longer around,” he explained.
“The players should see that as a slight on them and say ‘hang on, do you think we can’t go out on that pitch and perform without our manager?’
“That is a challenge in itself and ultimately the players and David Moyes will need to respond to that. It won’t be a bed of roses – they should see it as a new challenge and an important challenge.”
However, Neville is confident to United ethos of building stability and continuity will see the Scot given time to implement his ideas.
“There will be ups and downs as there always is and there has been over the last 26 or so years,” he added. “There will be pressure moments in the coming season when people will say ‘oh, it’s not the same.’
“But it’s too easy to say that. Everybody is waiting to see how this post-Sir Alex Ferguson era is going to work.
“The club have had it before with Sir Matt but everyone here will stick together through it all and the fans will do the same.”
Image courtesy of SkySports, via YouTube, with thanks.
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