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Manchester United team 'isn't good enough to in the Premier League title', says Gary Neville

Former United right-back believes that success will come back to the club, but they are not yet in a position to win the title this season

Jack de Menezes
Tuesday 21 October 2014 15:03 BST
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Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville
Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville (Getty Images)

Louis van Gaal made the rather ambitious claim that Manchester United can still win the Premier League title, but former defender Gary Neville believes the current side are not good enough to top the table come the end of the season.

Van Gaal has not enjoyed the best of starts to life at Old Trafford having taken just 12 from a possible 24 points, and the latest setback came in the 2-2 draw with West Brom on Monday night that saw United slip 10 points behind leaders Chelsea.

The Dutchman claimed afterwards that he is “arrogant” enough to believe the club can still win the title, but Neville was very critical in his analysis of United and believes their season will not end how Van Gaal envisages.

Speaking after the match as a pundit on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football coverage, Neville said: “At this moment in time this Man United team isn't good enough to win the league.

“Coming out of the World Cup he was drunk with praise, but I think it's sobered him up slightly.”

Neville did acknowledge that Van Gaal has remained defiant that he will turn around United’s fortunes, and believes that some of the players they signed in the summer are of a sufficient calibre to do just that.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (Getty Images)

However, it’s the persistent injuries in their defence that causes Neville the most concern, and he believes that success will take some time to return to the club as a result.

“There's a big belief, I think he will get it right,” Neville added. “A lot of good players have been signed but there's been so many injuries, particularly in defence.

“There's something there but it's going to take him longer.”

United’s biggest test of the season so far will come on Sunday when they take on Chelsea in what will also provide an opportunity to reduce the gap to the high-flying Blues.

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