The reigning European champions will quite rightly be expected to fancy their chances of defending their crown next season and can be backed at3.00to do so.

United,2.75to win the Premier League title in 2025/12 and8.00to secure European football's top prize, are still licking their wounds from the humbling inflicted upon them by Lionel Messi and co, at Wembley, in January.

But Pep Guardiola's superstars, tipped for a golden period of dominance, can rest assured that they won't have it all their own way.

That's the verdict of former United legend Neville, who decided to hang up his boots during the middle of last season.

Neville is now working as a pundit for Sky Sports TV and witnessed at first hand the power of the current Barca squad in comparison to Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

But he also recalls how the Red Devils were able to overhaul the consensus that Italian giants, Juventus, were the best team around, during the late 1990s.

He said: "I remember in 1996 and 1997 we were absolutely streets behind Juventus. The biggest murdering I ever got on a football pitch was away to Juventus in 1996.

"We didn't have a shot on goal. Everyone said they were untouchable, but we progressed. I think the likes of United and Real Madrid will get past Barcelona in the next two years.

"Next season will be tougher for them because teams like United and others will learn. Things go in cycles."