What next for the Premier League’s top six?

London (AFP) – Manchester City set the seal on a record-breaking season by becoming the first side in English top flight history to hit 100 points with victory at Southampton on Sunday.

City also added another landmark by winning the league by a record 19 points from local rivals Manchester United.

So how can United and the rest of the chasing pack get closer next season?

Here, AFP Sports looks at what lies ahead for the Premier League’s top six.

Manchester City

If City maintain their remarkable consistency from this season, there is little hope of a title race next season and ominously the free-spending champions look set to add to a squad that has already cost a reported 878 million euros ($1 billion, £774 million).

However, Pep Guardiola has insisted he will only tinker this summer, having overhauled an ageing squad in his first two seasons in charge.

“We made a good, high investment last year because it was an old team – 10, 11 players more than 31-years-old,” said Guardiola this week. “Now we are going to change some details…one, maybe two (signings).”

Worryingly for the competition, though, City now have a young squad capable of dominating for years to come.

Guardiola also has a history of building dynasties as his Barcelona and Bayern Munich sides won three consecutive league titles before arriving in Manchester.

Manchester United

United have been good enough for second best to City this season, but have failed to enthral their supporters with many unhappy at manager Jose Mourinho’s brand of football.

The Portuguese’s calling card has been to win leagues wherever he has managed, but even Mourinho has tempered expectations that the gap to City can be breached in one season.

“The difference of points tell a lot,” said Mourinho. “Can we close that gap in one season with a very difficult market? We are going to try.”

With the biggest turnover in the league, United will be busy in the transfer market again with rumours they could make a move for out of favour Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

However, Mourinho also has to get more out of the marquee signings of his reign in Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez.

Tottenham Hotspur

A state-of-the-art new 62,000 capacity stadium awaits Tottenham next season, but there isn’t much time to settle in with the pressure on to turn four years of progress under Mauricio Pochettino into silverware.

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