Patrick Vieira insists Manchester United are a ‘different’ proposition under Erik ten Hag and can rival his former club Arsenal for the Premier League title.
The Red Devils endured a dismal start to the season – losing at home to Brighton on the opening day and then suffering a humbling 4-0 defeat to Brentford – but soon found their stride to climb into the Champions League places.
Patrick Vieira has been impressed by Man Utd’s revival (Picture: Sky Sports)
A 2-1 Manchester derby win at Old Trafford put United one point behind City and nine behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, who they face next weekend.
Ten Hag has played down his team’s title chances but Vieira insists Manchester United must be taken seriously as he prepares for their visit to Selhurst Park on Wednesday night.
The Crystal Palace boss said: ‘When you look at their last couple of games, the number of wins and how close they are to the top, I think they can be [in a title race].
‘It’s a different United [to the one we saw last season]. What will be important for us is to play like we did against Chelsea: with a lot of intensity and with a lot of discipline.
‘At home, in front of our fans, if we manage to play the kind of game, we will have more chance of winning the game.’
While Manchester United travel to south London in red-hot form, Crystal Palace have lost four of their five games since the World Cup break to slip to 12th, seven points above the relegation zone.
Vieira was pleased with the application his side showed against Chelsea on Sunday and believes an upturn in results could be just around the corner.
‘The table will change from one week to another,’ said Vieira, who won three Premier League titles at Arsenal.
‘The ambition that the players have – the ambition the football club has – is to try to finish higher than we did last year.
‘We want to improve every aspect of the football club. Look at the performance we had [against Chelsea on Sunday]. In that performance, we showed ambition in the way we want to play the game.
‘We keep working and we keep believing in ourselves, because the chances are there. I want my players to be more ruthless inside the box and take those chances.
‘When you are on the field, it’s 11 [players] against 11. We went toe-to-toe with Chelsea and we will try to do the same against United. With a little bit of luck, we can score those goals.
‘We have to compete on the field with the quality, ambition and values we have. We will compete, and this is good for the football club.’
Arsenal star William Saliba ‘rejects new contract’ with big gap between club and player
Arsenal transfer news: William Saliba has rejected the Gunners’ latest offer of a new contract
William Saliba has turned down Arsenal’s most-recent offer of a contract extension, according to reports. The two parties are described as being ‘significantly’ apart when it comes to the player’s demands and the club’s proposal.
Saliba has been one of the players of the season in the Premier League so far. It is his first full campaign in English football after spending the previous three seasons on loan in France.
He has established a strong partnership at the back with Gabriel Magalhaes at the Emirates. Saliba is also a regular in the France national team squad and was at the World Cup in Qatar.
His current contract expires at the end of next season after Arsenal triggered a one-year option in December. However, the Gunners are desperate to tie down his future long term.
Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta is hopeful William Saliba will sign a new contract soon (Image: GETTY)
ESPN reports that Arsenal will step up talks with Saliba’s agent next week in an attempt to secure a long-term deal. The latest offer the Premier League leaders made has been rejected by the 21-year-old and his representatives.
The report says sides want an extension to happen but there is currently a ‘significant difference’ between what Saliba wants and what Arsenal are offering. There is still a confidence on Arsenal’s side that a deal will be struck with the defender.
Saliba has stated in several interviews this season that he is happy where he is and wants to extend his deal. Speaking after Sunday’s north London derby win over Tottenham, he said: “I am so happy here.
“The club is speaking with my agent and me, the only thing I can do is [focus on my football]. I am so happy here.”
SOURCE: metro.co.uk, express.co.uk
