Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester United are "coming back", with the Red Devils showing progress under the leadership of Erik ten Hag.
The 20-time English champions have largely struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013, but the team have made a positive start to the 2022-23 campaign under Ten Hag.
The Dutchman has led his side to 10 wins from their 16 games in all competitions this season, while they are unbeaten in their last seven matches ahead of Sunday's clash with West Ham United.
Man United are currently sixth in the Premier League table, just six points behind second-placed Man City, and Guardiola has said that the English giants are "coming back" under Ten Hag.
"I have the feeling that United is coming back," he told reporters on Friday. "Finally! United is coming! I saw signals yesterday (from their 3-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol) and in the game against Chelsea in the first half.
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"I thought 'I like it', what I see from United just now. There will be a lot of teams (competing at the top). That is why you have to fight for the Champions League and fight for the title.
"In the first 10 games you don't win the Premier League, but you can be a little bit behind. Newcastle [United] are already there. I saw them against Tottenham [Hotspur] and the physicality from both sides."
Arsenal currently lead the way in the Premier League, with the Gunners picking up 28 points from their opening 11 matches of the season, while Tottenham and Newcastle are third and fourth respectively.
Chelsea sit in fifth position, one point above sixth-placed Man United, although the top two, in addition to Chelsea and Man United, have a game in hand over Tottenham and Newcastle.
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Since winning the title in Ferguson's final season in charge, Man United have finished seventh, fourth, fifth, sixth, second, sixth, third, second and sixth in England's top flight.
The 20-time English champions will follow Sunday's clash against West Ham with a trip to Spain, as they bid to qualify directly for the knockout round of the Europa League at the expense of Real Sociedad.
Ten Hag's side will then face Aston Villa in back-to-back games in the league and EFL Cup before heading to Fulham on November 13 in their final match before the season breaks for the World Cup.
Man United will again be missing Anthony Martial through injury against West Ham, but Cristiano Ronaldo is in contention to start after making a scoring return to the team against Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday.
Man City, meanwhile, will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League when they head to the King Power Stadium on Saturday to take on Leicester City.
Matt Law
