Roy Keane has suggested Manchester United will struggle to make a sustained challenge for the Premier League title this season.
Despite a summer of spending from boss Louis van Gaal that has seen midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay and Italy defender Matteo Damian added to his ranks, the ex-United midfielder told Ireland's Sunday World that he doesn't believe the Old Trafford club has what it takes to overtake Chelsea at the top.
"United have gone away from what they were about; they are a bit like the late 80s, buying a lot of players thinking they will gel -- but it doesn't happen that quickly, as much as they'll definitely be stronger this year," he added.
"Van Gaal's had a full preseason this year. They've looked good from what I saw in preseason, but they had a good preseason last year too.
"I don't think the spine of United is strong enough, I still think they need a centre-half maybe. United will no doubt be better next year, they'll need to be stronger out of the blocks, but if I was a betting man, which I'm not, I'd still go with Chelsea.
"Chelsea are the team to beat; with the strongest spine. I think they're after the boy [John] Stones too, and if they add him, if Chelsea players show the same hunger and desire they did last year, they'll win the league.
"Mourinho has good players, bloody good players. It looks like he's got a good spine to the team, John Terry, their goalkeeper, the couple of lads in the middle of the park, Diego Costa, [Radamel] Falcao and Eden Hazard too."