Silvestre tipping United title tilt

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The Frenchman, who won five championship medals during his nine years at Old Trafford, reckons the players have now had time to get familiar with manager Louis van Gaal’s style of play.

Van Gaal arrived at the club a year ago, and although United endured another campaign without a trophy, the team did finish in a Champions League spot.

Silvestre expects further changes at United before the end of the transfer window, but he believes the club will be well prepared for the new campaign.

“It has been another transition last season. I think the team will be challenging for the title this year because everybody will have the time to take the measure of what it takes to go after Chelsea, go after Manchester City,” Silvestre told Sky Sports News HQ.

“And with the addition of such talented players everything will be there to perform the whole season.”

Rumours continue over the future of David de Gea at Old Trafford, with Real Madrid expected to make a bid to lure him back to Spain.

And Silvestre, who is in Glasgow as part of the Rennes party who are playing Celtic in a pre-season friendly, reckons the ‘keeper may be lured to Madrid.

Silvestre said: “You would expect him to maybe be tempted to go to Real Madrid because that’s his home country and it’s a major club.

“But United can give him what he wants, which is winning trophies and enjoying himself.”

Another player who could depart United is former Real Madrid midfielder Angel Di Maria, who has struggled to settle since his arrival last August.

Paris Saint-Germain are showing interest in the Argentina international, and again Silvestre expects the Ligue 1 club to get their man.

“Over the years it’s been difficult for South American players to adapt to the Premier League. I think the conditions, the culture and the demands of the Premier League in terms of physique and attitude, I think it’s challenging,” Silvestre said.

“Even top players find it sometimes difficult. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was also tempted to go to PSG.

“Let’s be frank, Ligue 1 in France is not the Premier League, in terms of football you can’t expect the same dimension, but Paris is a big club now.”