Does Patrick Vieira believe Manchester United are in the Premier League title race? Palace boss answers that question

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has shared his opinion about whether he believes Manchester United are in the Premier League title race.

The Red Devils are nine points behind league leaders Arsenal after their 2-1 Manchester derby win over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on the weekend.

United have won their last five on the bounce in the top flight, have qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League and are through to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup.

“When you look at the last couple of games they played, the number of wins they have had and how close they are to the top, I think they will be, yeah,” said the Palace boss.

The Eagles have only won one of their previous five Premier League outings – a 2-0 win at Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve.

Palace beat Ralf Rangnick’s United 1-0 at Selhurst Park on the final day of the 2021-22 season, with a Wilfried Zaha strike the difference.

When asked whether he believe his side had to perform at the same level to get a result from tomorrow’s fixture, Vieira said: “It’s a different United.

“If we played like we did today [against Chelsea], with a lot of intensity and a lot of discipline, and at home and in front of fans, we will have more chance to win that game.

“We have to keep working and keep believing in ourselves, because the chances [to score] are there. I want my players to be more ruthless inside the box and take those chances.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD