Former Manchester United great Eric Cantona has backed Jose Mourinho's squad to get back to challenging for top honours, three years since they last won the Premier League.

"It's just the beginning. Manchester can still be champions. Jose Mourinho is a successful manager at a successful club which this year has successful players," the former French international said in an interview published Wednesday in Portuguese daily newspaper Publico.

"But this is an extremely difficult championship, full of great teams and great managers like (Manchester City coach) Pep Guardiola," he added.