Former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage has predicted that Manchester United will win their 21st league crown this season.

The Red Devils finished fourth last year to get back into the Champions League, and have strengthened their squad with over £70m worth of summer signings.

Savage wrote in The Mirror: "United have served up two seasons of mediocrity by their standards and they cannot afford a third. [Louis] Van Gaal does not have time on his side.

"Having said that, I like the business LVG has conducted in the transfer window. Matteo Darmian, Memphis Depay, Morgan ­Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sergio Romero are all excellent ­signings. United now have a depth, especially in midfield, that they lacked last season.

"If Van Gaal can add a top-quality centre-half, and a forward to replace Angel di Maria, whose mind looked as if it had wandered elsewhere long ago, I reckon they will be front runners."

United start the new season at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.