Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has backed the team to challenge for the Premier League title this season.

The Red Devils have been busy in the transfer window this summer, bringing in the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin.

Silvestre believes that United's improved squad will see Louis van Gaal's men pose a serious threat to champions Chelsea when the campaign gets underway next month.

"I think the team will be challenging for the title this year because everybody will have the time to take the measure of what it takes to go after Chelsea, go after Manchester City," he told Sky Sports News. "And with the addition of such talented players everything will be there to perform the whole season."

United are back in pre-season action tonight when they face Barcelona in California.