MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson has followed Wayne Rooney by declaring new-look Liverpool could end their long wait for a league title this coming season.

United striker Rooney stated last week the Anfield outfit would be challengers and may think they have a chance of winning the title.

Ferguson himself had already admitted Liverpool were “back on the radar” given the revival under Kenny Dalglish has been bolstered by a clutch of summer signings.

And the Old Trafford manager has now gone one further by naming their bitter North West arrivals as potential Premier League winners as they aim to end a title drought that stretches back to 1990.

“Anyone can win the league – ourselves, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea,” said Ferguson.

“But when I look at it, our biggest challenge is ourselves.”

Like Liverpool, United have also been busy in the transfer market having beaten their rivals to the signatures of both Ashley Young and Phil Jones. But Ferguson has indicated there will be no further arrivals, despite the lack of a star name to replace the retired Paul Scholes in central midfield.

“We lost five players in their 30s this summer,” said the United manager.

“That helped finance the three younger players – Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea – I have brought to the club.

“At this moment, I can’t see another addition. The type of player we might have been looking for is not available. I am happy with the players I have got at this moment in time.”

Liverpool have spent big to bring in Jordan Henderson, Alexander Doni, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing.

And Premier League winner Stuart Ripley believes Downing is the ideal man to help Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll top the scoring charts in the coming campaign.