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Erik ten Hag can lead Manchester United to a Premier League title challenge next season, according to Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira.
Ten Hag has enjoyed a fine start to his first pre-season at Old Trafford, with United racking up comfortable victories over Liverpool and Melbourne Victory during their tour of Asia and Australia, netting four goals in each game.
United missed out on Champions League qualification at the end of a dismal 2021-22 season, posting their lowest Premier League points tally (58), but hopes are high that Ten Hag can revitalise the side.
The club have been making moves in the transfer market in a bid to turn things around, adding Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia, former Tottenham and Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen, and agreeing a deal for versatile Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez.
Speaking as his team prepared for a friendly against United at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Vieira said there were already signs the Dutchman had improved the Red Devils.
“I think when you look at the first game they played against Liverpool and the game that they had against Melbourne, it looked like the new manager has started to implement the way that he wants the team to play,” the former Arsenal captain said.
“But you just need to look at the individual talent that you have in that team and to believe that, you know, United, they used to play to win the Premier League.
“I think this year they will be there, trying to get the spot for the Champions League or win the title.”
Meanwhile, Palace’s hopes of building on their 12th-placed finish last season appear to have been dealt a huge blow, with last term’s loan star Conor Gallagher set to fight for his place at Chelsea.
Only Wilfried Zaha (14) scored more Premier League goals than Gallagher’s eight for Palace last season, and only Michael Olise (five) bettered the midfielder’s tally of three assists for the Eagles.
But with Gallagher declaring last week he was desperate to earn playing time at Stamford Bridge in the upcoming campaign, Vieira concedes Palace will have to do without his talents.
“At the moment I don’t think there is any chance because he is a Chelsea player,” he said of a potential return for Gallagher.
“He did fantastically well for us, but he is in pre-season with Chelsea and honestly we wish him all the best. I don’t think there is a way to get him back.”
