Gary Neville is convinced the best is yet to come from Louis van Gaal’s new-look Manchester United… starting with a test for Chelsea later this month.
The Red Devils have won two consecutive league games after a turbulent start to the season and now sit in fourth place in the fledgling Premier League standings.
And former United stalwart Neville, a graduate of the Class of ’92 and now a leading pundit on Sky Sports, says although Chelsea have made an ominous start he remains optimistic for a good result on October 26.
“I’d like to think United are always the club that can beat a big team,” Neville explained to manunited.com, speaking at the HMV Football Extravaganza in London – an event that honoured Ryan Giggs’ footballing achievements.
“Even in seasons when we weren’t great, like in the mid-2000s, I always felt we could upset Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ and Chelsea – I think Darren Fletcher scored one year when Mourinho was manager.
“I look at the game in two weeks’ time and United will be up for it. Chelsea will have been in Europe that week and, for me, United will cause Chelsea big problems.
“It’ll be their toughest game and Jose Mourinho would know that.”
Neville, who made 569 first-team appearances for United – scoring seven goals – also insisted that Van Gaal’s men could qualify for the Champions League, although conceded it would be difficult to get back into Europe’s elite competition.
“It’s going to be tough for United to get into the Champions League and that would be a big achievement,” he added.
“At this moment in time, we’re in the places in fourth spot but we’ll find out where we’re at in the next few weeks.
“We’ve not really played anybody really strong yet. I know Everton at home could be classed as being a tough game but, in terms of really tough matches, Chelsea and City will provide a real measure of where this team is at.”
Main image courtesy of Sky Sports via YouTube, with thanks.
