Speaking to Goal, Rio Ferdinand said: "I think in the the Premier League [in 2020/21] we've got what we wanted, which was an improvement. I think Manchester United at the end of last season finished 30-odd points behind Liverpool.
"Liverpool are now behind us and they'll have their excuses and reasons why but the cold facts are that we have gained that much ground on them that we've gone past them this season.
"That shows vast improvement and we're second in the league. By no means are we the finished article but I think at the beginning of the season if you'd said you'd finish second in the league from where we were I think they'd have snapped your hand off."
The Red Devils finished comfortably in second place this season while Jurgen Klopp's men had to wait until the final day of the 2020/21 campaign to secure their place in the top 4.
Next season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title as the Norwegian looks to finally win his first trophy in charge at Old Trafford.
