Manchester United new-boy Memphis Depay can succeed where the departing Angel Di Maria failed, according to club legend Bryan Robson.
Di Maria was tipped to help United back to the winning ways after making a British record £59.7 million move from Real Madrid last year, but the Argentina international is set to join Paris Saint-Germain after one disappointing season in Manchester.
Instead, the club have turned to Netherlands international Depay, who arrived at Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven in a £25m deal this summer, ahead of the new Premier League season which gets underway when United face Tottenham in Saturday's early kick-off.
And Robson, who was himself a British record transfer fee when he moved to United for £1.5m in October 1981 from West Brom, believes that Depay will add pace and power to a frontline which he expects to be fighting for titles on both domestic and European fronts in the upcoming season.
"The manager's made his mark on that, with United allowing Di Maria to leave," Robson, speaking ahead of the launch of ESPN UK's Greatest Sporting Cities, said. "United look as if they've got good value with Depay, but only time will tell.
"He's impressed me in preseason. He's quick, strong and looks as if he's a good finisher. He's going to be a big plus for United as far as I see it, but you can't get carried away with friendly games.
"It's when the season starts that the real business happens. Can he deliver then? Like I say, only time will tell, but he has got the potential, there's no doubt about that."
United are set to return to the Champions League after a season-long absence, provided they come through a playoff against an as-yet-unnamed opponent and Robson, who lifted the Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Super Cup with United in 1991 as well as two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, cautioned against complacency when it comes to the pinnacle of European football.
"United still have hard work to do yet because they have to win the playoff game to get into the Champions League," Robson said. "Everyone around the club will be looking forward to that, but the lads can't slack off.
"They've got a big job to do in that playoff game, but hopefully they'll be back in Europe challenging the best. I'm sure the lads will be looking forward to playing in the Champions League again."
On the domestic front, Robson insisted United can challenge for the Premier League trophy they last lifted in 2013, but admitted they face as tough a fight as ever just to seal a top-four spot, with the 58-year-old particularly impressed by Arsenal's efforts this summer.
"The team who I've been impressed by towards the end of last season and during preseason has been Arsenal," Robson added. "They look strong and Petr Cech was a great signing for them. The likes of Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey are just maturing at the right time, so I think Arsenal will be in there with Chelsea challenging for the title.
"Manchester City are still a strong squad. They've added a couple of players who could really spark them, so they'll be up there challenging again. But United have made some really good signings around the midfield area. We're a lot stronger in midfield going into the new season.
"It could be a lot closer this year than what it was last year, when Chelsea ended up running away with it. Those three clubs, Arsenal, Man United and Man City, will get that bit closer to Chelsea this year."