Paul Scholes believes Manchester United will struggle to compete with Manchester City this season after a quiet summer in the transfer market.

After finishing 19 points behind City in the Premier League title race last term, it was widely expected United would invest heavily in the transfer market in an attempt to close their gap on their rivals.

However United just completed one major signing in the form of £52 million midfielder Fred, while youngster Diogo Dalot and veteran goalkeeper Lee Grant arrived to compete the Red Devil’s business.

And following their quiet summer, Scholes says he fails to see his former side keeping up with the reigning Premier League champions again this time around.

When you look at Manchester City, possibly Liverpool, I don’t think they [United] have the quality of those two teams at the minute. Liverpool have made some really good signings. United finished above them last season,” said Scholes, speaking in Hong Kong.

“I just don’t see United getting closer to City. City are a really good side, great manager, some great players, a way of playing that they all know about and Manchester United seem to be not too sure what’s going on.

“You don’t really know the team, you don’t really know the players, you don’t know how they’re going to perform from one week to the next. So I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t see them challenging for the league this year.”