Rio Ferdinand has tipped Manchester United to become Premier League champions and revealed that he expects Wayne Rooney to win the Golden Boot.
- Kelly: Marcos Rojo a shrewd signing
- Brewin: Woodward needs to deliver Angel Di Maria
The 35-year-old former United star said he believed new manager Louis van Gaal and Robin van Persie would be key factors in the title race and argued that Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool would all be found wanting.
United finished only seventh in the Premier League last season, Ferdinand's final year at Old Trafford, and began the new campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea.
But Ferdinand told the Evening Standard: "I'm backing Manchester United to win the league.
"They will win because they have a good manager. Wayne Rooney is a good choice as captain. This is his 10th year, and he will be top scorer in the league this season.
"Obviously they need their best players fit. Last season Robin van Persie did not play much, but he could also be a top scorer."
Ferdinand won the league six times in his 12 seasons at Old Trafford and played 455 times for United before joining QPR in the summer.
He cast doubt over the title credentials of his new club's neighbours, saying: "I do not see Chelsea winning."
And he said Arsenal "have bought well but I just don't know where all their players are going to fit in: Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, when he is fit, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski."
Liverpool were runners-up last season but Ferdinand feels they may struggle to repeat that achievement, adding: "The biggest problem for Liverpool is that for many of their players, this is the first time they are playing in the Champions League.
"They are not used to the volume of games that they will have to play now, and they've got a lot of new players who have to get accustomed to the new way of life."