PETER SCHMEICHEL has named his four challengers for this season’s Premier League title.
But the Manchester United legend does not believe his former side will be up there competing by the end of the season.
Peter Schmeichel does not believe Man Utd will be challenging for the title this season
The Red Devils are still figuring things out under new boss Erik ten Hag.
And there is huge uncertainty over the future of star player Cristiano Ronaldo, who wants to quit Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, United still have to contend with the rest of the Big Six sides.
Manchester City have strengthened with the signing of Erling Haaland, while Liverpool are looking sharp thanks to new forward Darwin Nunez.
Chelsea are starting to make strides with Raheem Sterling, and Tottenham have landed several impressive targets for Antonio Conte.
Schmeichel reckons those four will be leading the charge for the title in the 22/23 campaign.
And he also believes United are now trailing Arsenal, who are finding some terrific form after landing goal machine Gabriel Jesus.
But Schmeichel has urged patience from the Red Devils faithful, admitting it will take some time for Ten Hag’s new style to get off the ground.
He told the Times: “It’s not going to be as plain sailing for Man City and Liverpool as people think. For both, it’s going to be a very different season.
“A massive transition, in terms of the playing style, is taking place at City. Look at Pep Guardiola’s transfer business: signing Erling Haaland and letting Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus go.
“That tells you how committed he is to playing with a No9 and we haven’t seen that with Pep before.
“How’s that going to play out? How long is that going to take to bed in? Will Haaland be as good in the Premier League as in Germany? I’m not sure.
“Will he score 25 goals? Yes, if the team service him. But City are not used to playing that way.
“Liverpool are also changing. They signed Darwin Nunez but lost Sadio Mane. Is Nunez going to be as good as Mane? I wonder.
“The competition will come from Chelsea and from Spurs, who have signed well and in Antonio Conte have a very clever manager who is so good at getting the maximum out of his players.
“I am also looking at Arsenal and for the first time in a long time thinking ‘top four’.
“Man United? Pre-season has been promising but the reality is that a long process of transition is required.
“The club have backed Erik ten Hag in recruiting players he knows and wanted to work with, and his first season will be fascinating.”
