United will be desperate to show that Fergie's empire is not crumbling, says Neville

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UPDATED:

10:10 GMT, 6 July 2012

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville expects the club to start next season firing on all cylinders after a disappointing 2011-12 campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side were pipped to the Premier League title by rivals Manchester City, while they were knocked out in the group stage of the Champions League.

Off the pace: United were trophyless last season

But rather then being despondent, Neville thinks the disappointment of last season will spur Ferguson's squad on in the quest for silverware.

Neville told the club's official website: 'You can bet they would have had a frustrating summer, after not winning any trophies last season.

'The beauty of football is that you start afresh each year with a clean slate. United now have an opportunity to put things right.

'The challenge this season is always the same: it’s to win the Premier League, do well in the cups and do well in the Champions League. That challenge never changes.

Red Nev: Neville was part of England manager Roy Hodgson's coaching set-up at Euro 2012

'But, obviously, when you don’t win anything you have an added incentive because people start to question the team and wonder if the empire is crumbling.

'The manager and the players have had to cope with all that before, so this challenge is something they’ll all be looking forward to.'

United players who were not involved at Euro 2012 reported back for training this week, and they will fly out to Durban on July 16 for the start of the club's world tour.