Man United will be one of Europe’s best – Barcelona chief

Newly appointed Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has stated that Manchester United will be in the running to win the Champions League and one of Europe’s best teams next season.

The Old Trafford outfit are undergoing something of a renaissance under Louis van Gaal and have spent big this summer in a bid to get back in contention for silverware.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian have all been added to the Red Devils’ contingent, with more new faces widely expected to arrive before the transfer window closes.

Bartomeu has stated that he fully expects United to challenge for major honours in 2015-16 and that Van Gaal is a man that can get the club back to the glory days.

“We know Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” the Catalan chief is quoted as saying by Mirror Football.

“United is a club that has always been very successful and they will be successful in the future, because they are doing a nice project.

“We know their coach, Louis van Gaal, very well.

“He was also coach of our team and we know how strong, intelligent and clever he is, how he gets the best that is possible from his players, and United are going to be one of the top clubs this year, I’m sure.”

United, who face Barcelona in a pre-season friendly later today, have struggled since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, but are seemingly set to get back to their best after a number of years of underachievement.