Giggs: how Manchester United can close the gap on champions Manchester City

Ryan Giggs discusses what Manchester United need to do to close the gap on their city neighbours

Overall United have got a good squad so I think it is probably about making a couple of marque signings where they are going to really make a difference and bridge that gap with City.

They've got some decent firepower and six or seven options in the centre-half position. Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young have done so well, but can they do it over 50 games again and again? They perhaps need strengthening there.

I don't think they particularly need reinforcements in the forward areas, however, perhaps they could strengthen the middle of the park with a creative midfielder, a player who can keep the ball.

Martial, Rashford must step up

As a United fan, I want to see exciting football and Antony Martial and Marcus Rashford are exciting players. They found it difficult this year with Romelu Lukaku playing centre forward and then with the addition of Alexis Sanchez, there's a lot of options.

What I said when we bought Alexis was that it could only be good to have a quality player coming to add to that competitive edge, so the likes of Martial and Rashford have to step up to be in the first team.

It will be interesting how United start as they need to start well because there will be a lot of pressure on the back of what City achieve.

Title defence challenges

You've got to recognise what City have done this year, they've been quality, but to do it again is going to be difficult.

I think we were the last team to defend a Premier League a decade ago, so it proves how difficult it is. Chelsea didn't do it, Leicester City didn't do it and City didn't do it, so it's not easy because everyone wants to beat the champions.

Everyone also knows what City more or less do. Yes they change their formation and tactics and they've got a great coach, but also the players have got to get back up to that level after a World Cup, so there are a lot of permutations come the first game of next season.

You have to just keep improving and you can't just keep thinking it will be as easy the next season, because it won't be.

Credit: Skysports.com