Former Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre has backed Manchester United and Arsenal to challenge Manchester City for the title next season.

Silvestre doubts Liverpool and Chelsea will mount title challenges, instead believing that Manchester City’s greatest competition will come from last season’s runners-up Arsenal and third-placed Manchester United.

Asked who he expected to rival Man City for the Premier League title, Silvestre told GGRecon: “I believe that Arsenal will challenge again next season and I believe that Man United will close the gap at the top too. That’s about it.

“I don’t know where Liverpool will be to be honest, because it’s difficult to anticipate what’s going to happen at this moment.

“My prediction is that Arsenal and Manchester United will be Manchester City’s closest challengers.”