Frank Lampard believes both Manchester United and Liverpool should be in the conversation when it comes to Premier League title challengers.
As Manchester City stormed their way to their latest Premier League title crown last season, United and Liverpool were left to finish in second and third, 12 and 17 points behind Pep Guardiola's side respectively.
However, in a bid to bridge the gap to City, certainly in United's case, this summer's transfer window has been used to great effect, with the Reds landing Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
Both Sancho's and Varane's arrivals at Old Trafford will significantly bolster two key areas within Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's ranks, so much so that there is a sense of excitement and optimism lingering above Old Trafford that a serious title charge could well be possible this time around.
And for Lampard, he says United cannot be discounted, as well as Liverpool, despite Jurgen Klopp only adding defender Ibrahima Konate to his squad.
“I think you can’t discount Manchester United. They were not far off last year and have gone again and I think brought in really impressive signings and I think Liverpool will be the same,” Lampard told Football Daily.
“They missed huge players through injury for a big part of last season and the year before they were one of the best teams we’ve seen in the Premier League, so you definitely can’t discount those."
It is not just United and Liverpool that Lampard expects to have successful campaigns, with the former England midfielder tipping the likes of Aston Villa and Leicester City to impress once again.
"As much as you can’t discount the teams pushing from beneath or just behind. Leicester, we saw them win at the weekend [vs Manchester City], West Ham have improved greatly.
"Aston Villa, they lose Jack Grealish, but they’re bringing in really strong players and have a stronger squad, so it makes for an exciting season and we’ll see."
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